Explosions in Dubai as Iranian Shahed Drones Strike Major Landmarks
High-profile areas in Dubai were targeted by Iranian-made Shahed drones on Saturday, marking a major escalation in Middle Eastern hostilities following a series of US-Israel strikes on Iran.
DUBAI (Feb 28, 2026) — High-profile areas in Dubai were targeted by Iranian-made Shahed drones on Saturday, marking a major escalation in Middle Eastern hostilities following a series of US-Israel strikes on Iran.
Key Incidents:
- Palm Jumeirah: An explosion on the iconic man-made island injured four people. Dubai Civil Defence confirmed the resulting fire is now under control.
- Downtown Strike: Footage captured a drone plummeting between buildings in a densely populated district, followed by a massive explosion.
- Burj Khalifa Area: Attacks were also reported in the immediate vicinity of the world's tallest building.
The "Kamikaze" Threat:
The Shahed drone acts as a low-cost, long-range "suicide" missile. With a range of 2,500 km and a payload of up to 50 kg, these drones are difficult to intercept due to their low cost ($20,000–$50,000) compared to expensive defense missiles.
The Dubai Media Office stated that emergency response teams have secured the affected sites. The strikes signal a dangerous new phase of regional retaliation, directly impacting one of the world's most prominent business and tourism hubs.