Israel launches ‘pre-emptive attack’ on Iran as explosions hit central Tehran

UAE GCAA suspends all glider, drone and recreational aircraft permits for one week

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has announced an immediate one-week ban on all flight permits covering gliders, drones, and recreational aircraft of every kind.

This measure has been implemented due to current conditions, with the primary aim of safeguarding public safety and protecting national airspace.

Throughout the duration of this ban, no such aircraft may be operated, launched, or flown under any circumstances.

Once the week has elapsed, the GCAA will assess the situation and decide whether normal operations can resume or whether the ban needs to be extended, depending on how circumstances have developed.

The GCAA stresses that compliance with this directive is not optional. Anyone found in breach of these regulations will face the appropriate legal consequences.

Dubai confirms Airport strike with injuries

Dubai Airports has confirmed that an incident has occurred at Dubai International Airport (DXB).

Emergency teams have been deployed and are working alongside relevant authorities to manage the situation.

Four people were injured and have received medical attention. Further updates will be issued as more information becomes available.

UAE confirms 137 missiles and 209 drones intercepted

The UAE’s Ministry of Defense says its forces have intercepted the majority of an Iranian missile and drone barrage targeting the country since the attack began. Of 137 ballistic missiles fired, 132 were shot down while 5 landed in the sea.

Of 209 drones launched, 195 were destroyed, though 14 came down within UAE territory and waters, causing some damage. Debris from intercepted projectiles also caused minor damage to civilian properties in scattered areas.

The Ministry strongly condemned the attack, calling it a dangerous escalation and a violation of national sovereignty and international law, and said the UAE reserves the right to respond and take all measures necessary to protect its territory and people.

Authorities moved swiftly to secure affected sites and ensure the safety of residents, and the Ministry said its forces remain on high alert. The public was urged to rely only on official sources and not to spread unverified information.

‘We feel that is a correct story’: Trump on reports that Khamenei was killed in US-Israel strikes on Iran

The United States and Israel carried out a large-scale overnight assault on Iran on Saturday, with Iranian media reporting a death toll exceeding 200 people.

President Donald Trump defended the operation in a video statement, saying “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.”

“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS. He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us. As I said last night, “Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death!” Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots, and work together as a unit to bring back the Country to the Greatness it deserves. That process should soon be starting in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the Country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated. The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Trump said in a post Truth Social.

When asked about reports – citing Israeli sources – that Supreme Leader Khamenei had been killed in the strikes, Trump told NBC News, “We feel that is a correct story.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry, however, disputed this, with spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei telling MSNOW that both Khamenei and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are “safe and sound.”

Iran denies Khamenei’s death

Iranian state-linked news outlets Tasnim and Mehr are pushing back against reports of Khamenei’s death, claiming the Supreme Leader remains active and in command.

Israel reports Khamenei is dead

Israel  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly suggested that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei may be dead, stating that “all indications” point to the leader being gone, though he stopped short of a direct confirmation.

His remarks came after US-Israeli airstrikes reportedly destroyed Khamenei’s compound in Tehran, and the leader has been silent since the strikes began. Satellite images appear to confirm significant damage to the facility.

UAE Ministry of Interior issues alert in Dubai

The UAE Ministry of Interior has sent phone alerts to residents in Dubai

“Due to current situation, and potential missile threats, seek immediate shelter in the closest secure building, and steer away from windows, doors, and open areas. Await for further instructions. (MOI),” the alert read.

Dubai Media Office warns against sharing outdated fire incident content on social media

Dubai Media Office has cautioned the public against the spread of outdated photos and videos of previous fire incidents in Dubai on social media platforms, warning that such content misrepresents the current situation on the ground.

The Office has urged both the public and media outlets to consult only official channels for verified updates and to avoid circulating unconfirmed material.

It further noted that individuals who share or reshare such content in breach of UAE law may face legal consequences.

UAE announces remote learning for all private, public schools, universities

The UAE Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research have declared that all public and private schools and universities across the country will transition to remote learning from Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4, affecting students as well as teaching and administrative personnel.

US warns commercial ships of Iranian boarding risk in Strait of Hormuz

The US government has issued an advisory warning commercial vessels that Iranian forces have a history of boarding, detaining and seizing ships in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, as recently as February 3, 2026.

US-flagged vessels are advised to decline boarding requests if safe to do so, stay close to Omani waters when transiting eastbound, keep AIS transponders on, and coordinate with US Naval Forces Central Command.

In the event of an incident, crews should contact the US Fifth Fleet, UKMTO and activate their Ship Security Alert System. The advisory supersedes a 2025 notice and expires on August 8, 2026.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warn ships: Strait of Hormuz ‘not allowed’

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned ships that passage through the Strait of Hormuz is “not allowed,” according to an EU naval mission Aspides official, Reuters reported.

The message was broadcast via VHF radio, though Iran has not formally confirmed any closure order.

The warning follows US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Several oil companies and tanker operators have already paused shipments through the strait, which carries around 20 million barrels of oil daily – roughly a fifth of global supply. The situation remains unresolved and markets are on edge.

Death toll in Minab girls’ school attack rises to 85

The death toll from a Saturday attack on a girls’ school in the southern Iranian city of Minab has climbed to 85, according to the country’s judiciary.

The announcement came via the judiciary’s Mizan Online website, citing the local prosecutor’s office, amid ongoing strikes launched by the US and Israel against Iran.

‘Khamenei is alive’: Foreign minister

Iran’s foreign minister has confirmed that Supreme Leader Khamenei is alive and that all senior officials remain unharmed, following strikes carried out by Israel and the United States across Iran on Saturday.

IAEA confirms no evidence of radiological impact across region

The IAEA is keeping a close watch on the evolving situation in the Middle East, calling on all parties to exercise restraint in order to prevent any risks to nuclear safety in the region.

The Agency maintains ongoing communication with countries across the region and has so far found no indication of any radiological impact. The IAEA will continue to monitor developments and provide updates accordingly.

Dubai authorities confirm Palm Jumeirah building fire brought under control, four injured

Dubai authorities have confirmed that an incident took place in a building on the Palm Jumeirah.

Emergency teams were dispatched promptly and the area has been secured. Dubai Civil Defence has announced that the fire that broke out has been brought under control. Four people were injured and have been transported to medical facilities for treatment.

The welfare of all residents and visitors continues to be the top priority, and authorities are taking every measure necessary to ensure public safety.

The public is encouraged to stay calm, depend only on information from official channels, and avoid sharing videos or images related to the incident on social media. Updates will continue to be issued as more information becomes available.

UAE authorities urge public to stay indoors

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) has issued a message advising UAE residents to remain indoors due to the ongoing conflict.

“The UAE places the safety and security of its citizens, residents and visitors as its highest priority, and the situation remains under full control. Authorities are operating within a fully integrated national framework, with the highest levels of preparedness and efficiency. Your safety remains our utmost priority. Please remain indoors in safe areas, await official instructions, and rely solely on official sources for updates,” the NCEMA said.

UAE successfully intercepts new wave of Iranian missiles and drones

The UAE Ministry of Defence said air defence systems successfully intercepted and destroyed a new wave of Iranian missiles and drones targeting the country, describing the operation as highly efficient and saying no material damage was caused.

The ministry said it remains on full alert and is taking all necessary measures to counter any threats to the country’s security and stability, with the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors its foremost priority.

It added that debris from intercepted missiles has landed in parts of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with no injuries reported.

The ministry described the attacks as a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law, asserting the UAE’s right to take all measures needed to protect its territory and people. It called on the public to rely only on official sources for information and to refrain from spreading unverified reports.

Sharjah suspends all flights until further notice

Sharjah International Airport has suspended all flights until further notice as part of ongoing precautionary measures.

The airport authority is urging passengers not to travel to the airport and to contact their airlines directly for the latest information on flight status and rebooking.

Updates will be shared through official channels as they become available.

Etihad suspends all flights until 2PM on March 1

Etihad has suspended all departures from Abu Dhabi until 2pm UAE time on Sunday, March 1.

Arriving flights scheduled before that time have also been cancelled. Services after 2pm are expected to resume, depending on conditions.

KSA condemnation of ‘cowardly’ attacks on riyadh

Saudi Arabia issued its strongest condemnation of what it called “blatant and cowardly” Iranian attacks targeting the Riyadh and Eastern regions, which were repelled.

The kingdom said the strikes were unjustifiable under any circumstances, particularly given that Iranian authorities were aware Saudi Arabia had pledged not to allow its airspace or territory to be used for attacks against Iran.