Iran fired missiles at several Arab cities in the Gulf on Saturday, triggering waves of explosions, shaking windows and panicked residents taking cover - in rare and potentially far-reaching attacks on a region that prides itself on its security.
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Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, where the US military is present, said they had intercepted Iranian missiles after Tehran vowed retaliation for US and Israeli attacks on Iran. Jordan also intercepted the missiles, according to Reuters.
UAE state media reported that one person had died in Abu Dhabi, but did not provide further details.
A fire broke out near a hotel on Dubai's luxury Palm Islands, with large plumes of smoke visible from afar as multiple explosions echoed throughout the day.
Rocket trails tore through the sky over several cities, while loud detonations were heard, most likely the sound of air defense systems intercepting barrages of incoming missiles. Residents took refuge in windowless bathrooms and closets.
"All occupied territories and criminal American bases in the region have been hit by powerful Iranian missile strikes. This operation will continue relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated," the Iranian Revolutionary Guard said.
The UAE president and the Saudi crown prince spoke after the attack, with Riyadh expressing solidarity and both leaders warning of the danger of escalation, calling for restraint and a return to diplomacy.
Their call represented a rare direct contact amid strained relations between the two Gulf powers since late last year.
The fall of debris from intercepted missiles has caused concern across the region. In Bahrain, debris fell on a road in the Sanad area, near a military headquarters, while Qatar's interior ministry warned citizens not to touch any fragments.
A sharp break from everyday life
The Gulf's oil and gas wealth has long provided high-paying, tax-free jobs and a comfortable lifestyle that has drawn millions of foreign workers to cities like Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha. Saturday's events were a sharp break from that routine.
The attacks occurred during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, when the Gulf is calmer during fasting hours, further accentuating the shock.
Bahrain confirmed the attack on its territory and said a service center of the US Fifth Fleet had been hit. Reuters witness footage showed a column of grey smoke rising off the coast of the small island nation as sirens blared.
Education authorities in Bahrain and Qatar announced that schools will switch to online classes starting Sunday.
According to five witnesses, including two Reuters correspondents, loud explosions were heard across Abu Dhabi and smoke rose from a point on the sea opposite the city. Some residents received telephone warnings to take shelter in the nearest safe building and stay away from windows because of the threat of rockets.
One witness told Reuters she heard five explosions in rapid succession, causing windows to shake in a house near the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Other witnesses in the Al Dhafra and Al Batin areas also heard loud detonations.
Fighter jets flew over the Yas Island area in Abu Dhabi on Saturday afternoon.
Five powerful explosions were heard in Dubai, the region's business and tourism hub, late in the afternoon. While life was going on as normal in some parts of the city, some grocery delivery apps were experiencing significant delays. Some users appeared to be ordering larger quantities of goods.
A supermarket worker in Dubai's Nshama Town Square neighbourhood, who did not want to be named, said: "This is not normal. Some suppliers have said they will not restock certain products. The water is already running out."
The UAE government said that food and essential supplies remain sufficient, that imports and supply chains are functioning normally, and that strategic reserves are strong enough to last for an extended period. Authorities urged citizens not to panic buy.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office said the internal security situation remains stable and that key sectors are operating at full alert.
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