Dubai’s glittering skyline was thrown into chaos Saturday after reports emerged that an Iranian Shahed-136 drone detonated near the iconic Burj Khalifa, prompting urgent evacuations and raising fears of a widening regional war.
Video circulating online appeared to show the explosion close to the 828-metre tower — the tallest building in the world — as part of what sources describe as a broader wave of retaliatory strikes targeting the UAE and other Gulf states.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said air defence systems intercepted the majority of incoming missiles and drones over Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Officials reported falling debris but no confirmed fatalities or major structural damage at the Burj Khalifa site as of press time.
The alleged strike comes amid escalating confrontation involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, with U.S. military installations in parts of the region also reportedly targeted.
Analysts say the symbolism is striking. The Burj Khalifa is more than an architectural marvel — it represents the UAE’s economic rise and its diplomatic shift toward Israel following the 2020 Abraham Accords.
The Gulf nation’s expanding security ties with Washington and growing profile as a global finance hub have placed it squarely within the region’s shifting power equation.
Security experts warn that even highly capable missile defence systems face pressure under sustained drone and missile swarms, increasing the risk of breakthrough impacts.
Airspace disruptions were reported across parts of the Gulf as governments scrambled to assess the scale of the escalation.
Independent verification of the full extent of damage and the origin of all projectiles remains ongoing.
With tensions surging and alliances under strain, the latest development signals that the conflict’s spillover into key economic and symbolic targets may be entering a more dangerous phase.
More updates are expected as authorities release official statements.
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