Israel-US launch Iran strikes: Day 3 latest news, Lebanon hit, UAE air defence interception updates

US forces destroy Iranian naval presence in Gulf of Oman

The United States military announced that all 11 Iranian vessels that were present in the Gulf of Oman two days ago have been eliminated, declaring an end to decades of Iranian harassment and attacks on international shipping in the waterway.

US forces said they would continue to defend freedom of maritime navigation.

UAE President visits Dubai Mall in show of calm and reassurance

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed visited Dubai Mall on the evening of March 2, 2026, in a display of steady leadership and solidarity with the public amid the ongoing situation.

Drone strikes Mussafah fuel terminal in Abu Dhabi; fire contained, no injuries

Abu Dhabi authorities responded to a fire at a Mussafah fuel tank terminal after it was struck by a drone, swiftly containing the blaze with no injuries reported and no disruption to operations. The public was urged to rely only on official sources and avoid spreading rumours.

UAE intercepts hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones; three killed, 68 injured

The UAE Ministry of Defence says air defences have intercepted 9 ballistic missiles, 6 cruise missiles, and 148 drones in the latest wave of attacks.

Since the Iranian assault began, 174 ballistic missiles have been detected – 161 destroyed and 13 fallen into the sea – along with 689 drones, of which 645 were intercepted and 44 landed inside the country.

All 8 cruise missiles detected were also destroyed. The attacks have resulted in 3 fatalities and 68 minor injuries, with minor to moderate damage to some civilian properties.

UAE airports resume limited flights for stranded passengers

The General Civil Aviation Authority has announced the resumption of limited flight operations at UAE airports to allow stranded passengers to depart.

Passengers are urged not to go to the airport until contacted directly by their airline with confirmed flight details, in order to avoid congestion and ensure smooth operations.

Emirates, flydubai to operate limited flights this evening

Emirates, flydubai will run a limited number of flights on the evening of March 2, 2026.

Customers are advised to check flight status on the respective airline website before heading to the airport.

Dubai Airports begins limited flight operations

Dubai Airports announced a partial resumption of operations starting this evening, March 2, with a limited number of flights operating from Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC).

Passengers are advised not to travel to either airport unless their airline has directly confirmed their departure time.

QatarEnergy halts LNG production after attacks

QatarEnergy has suspended LNG and related production following military attacks on its facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City, according to a statement released via Qatar News Agency.

The company said it remains committed to keeping stakeholders informed as updates become available.

ADCB announces temporary service disruption

Due to a region-wide IT issue, the ADCB mobile app and contact centre are temporarily unavailable.

Customers can continue banking through alternative channels, including online banking, branches, ATMs, uBank, WhatsApp banking, and the AANI app for domestic transfers.

Services will be restored as soon as possible.

Iranian drones intercepted at Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura refinery

Debris from intercepted drones caused limited damage and a small fire at the Ras Tanura oil refinery, which was quickly contained, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

No casualties were reported, and precautionary shutdowns did not affect local petroleum supplies.

Beware of imposter accounts posing as Emirates

Only trust the official Emirates accounts @emirates and @emiratessupport, identified by gold verification checkmarks, the airline said.

Always verify accounts before responding and avoid engaging with or clicking links from any others.

UAE and Russian presidents urge de-escalation amid rising regional tensions

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed recent Iranian attacks and escalating regional security tensions, stressing the need to halt military escalation and prioritise dialogue and diplomacy to maintain regional and global stability.

Drone shrapnel falls in Ras Al Khaimah after interception; no injuries

Authorities in Ras Al Khaimah responded to an incident in the Al Hamra Village area after shrapnel from an intercepted drone fell in the vicinity, causing no injuries.

Residents were urged to rely only on official sources and refrain from spreading unverified information.

Etihad suspends all Abu Dhabi flights until Tuesday afternoon

Etihad Airways has halted all flights to and from Abu Dhabi until 2pm UAE time on Tuesday, 3 March, due to ongoing regional airspace closures.

Passengers with tickets issued on or before February 28 can rebook free of charge on Etihad flights up to March 18, or request a full refund.

Travellers are advised to check flight status on the airline’s website before heading to the airport.

Abu Dhabi launches 24/7 mental health hotline amid regional tensions

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi has activated a round-the-clock mental health support hotline, 800-SAKINA, in partnership with Seha’s Sakina network.

The bilingual Arabic and English service provides immediate access to qualified mental health professionals, offering support for anxiety, stress, sleep difficulties, and other concerns, with dedicated services for children and families.

“By activating the 800-SAKINA hotline, we are ensuring that every member of our community has timely, trusted mental health support whenever they need it. We remain close to our community, listening to their concerns and responding quickly with practical help. No concern is too small to discuss, support is available around the clock, and Abu Dhabi’s health system continues to operate safely and effectively for all community members,” Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH said in a statement.

Residents can call 800-725462 for confidential support at any time.

Choithrams CEO urges calm, says food prices will not rise

Choithrams CEO Mark Mortimer-Davies has moved to reassure customers that food prices will not increase, backing a government commitment to maintain stability and urging shoppers to buy only what they need during the current situation.

“The Government has been absolutely clear that food prices will not increase, and as retailers we stand firmly behind that commitment. This is a moment for solidarity between Government, retailers, and the communities we serve. The systems in place are designed to protect supply and stability, and customers can shop with confidence knowing there is no reason for prices to rise,” Mark Mortimer-Davies, CEO at Choithrams told Lana in a statement.

“There is also a wide range of options available across stores, from frozen foods to fresh local and regional produce. People continue to have access to affordable choices. At times like these, we all have a role to play. It is vital that we make sensible and mindful purchasing decisions, buying only what we genuinely need,” he added.

Drone debris falls on Abu Dhabi facilities after interception; no injuries

Abu Dhabi authorities have confirmed that debris from intercepted drones fell on a warehouse in ICAD and a commercial facility in Mussafah, causing only minor building damage with no injuries reported.

Residents were urged to rely solely on official sources for information and to avoid spreading unverified reports.

Over 2,000 flights cancelled across seven Gulf airports

More than 2,000 flights have been cancelled at seven major Gulf airports, including Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Dubai World Central, according to FlightRadar24.

Air Arabia suspends UAE flights until Tuesday amid airspace closures

Air Arabia has halted all flights to and from the UAE until 3pm on Tuesday, March 3, due to multiple airspace closures.

Flights to Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq are suspended for longer, until March 4. Affected passengers will be notified by email and SMS, and are advised to check the airline’s website for the latest updates.

Kuwait says it downed several US warplanes; crews unharmed

Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence spokesman Brigadier General Saud Al-Otaibi said several American warplanes were shot down, with their crews surviving unharmed.

He added that the incident was handled in direct coordination with US forces, and that authorities are investigating the causes.