Missiles and drone attacks across the UAE as Iran presses on with air campaign in Gulf

AFP / France 24
by FRANCE24
March 16, 2026
2 views
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Iran's drone and missile attacks across UAE killed civilian and disrupted Dubai airport.

How This Affects You

If you're traveling through Dubai airport, expect potential flight disruptions due to drone strikes near the facility.

AI Summary

Iran launched multiple missile and drone attacks across the United Arab Emirates, killing at least one civilian and causing significant infrastructure damage. A drone strike ignited a fuel tank fire near Dubai airport disrupting air travel, while another missile killed a civilian in their car in Abu Dhabi, and a third drone attack sparked fires in an area with oil infrastructure. The strikes are part of Iran's broader military campaign targeting Gulf nations that host U.S. military forces. The attacks represent a significant escalation in regional tensions and directly threaten key transportation and energy infrastructure in one of the Middle East's major commercial hubs. The UAE serves as a critical logistics base for U.S. operations in the region, making it a strategic target for Iranian retaliation.

What's Being Done

Iran is continuing its air campaign against Gulf countries that host U.S. forces.

Source Coverage Map

5 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

12% coverage
Did Not Cover (38)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP News96AP US News96AP Top News96+33 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Other Sources Covering This Story

5 sources

Multiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Iran hits tankers and Gulf nations as U.S., Israel continue attacks
Global

Iran hits tankers and Gulf nations as U.S., Israel continue attacks

Iran has attacked multiple tankers near its territory and is striking oil facilities in nearby countries. Meanwhile, U.S. and Israeli warplanes and missiles are continuing to hit targets across Iran. In its first week alone, the Iran war has cost more than $11 billion, according to lawmakers briefed by the Pentagon. Charlie D'Agata has the latest.

CBS NewsMar 12
Gulf states intercept new missiles and drones as Iran threatens to widen war - AP News
Global

Gulf states intercept new missiles and drones as Iran threatens to widen war - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilwFBVV95cUxPb3QtaHVNcTBlczRpWjlLd1FzQzV4ODB4ZEVCdGF6RHVyUW9uNDJDeVpnLUZfUmNmdF8xMnhDNGZaaC1CdnRFWnF1RVk3N2dTZFR2ajNabWNnM09SNzVUNTNPTmxHUUk0U2lNbGxHYXVGRDJEcmdSZTJ4MDc0ZWEyRkg4V2liUDF0SHFmOFhHY2xKLVVqWGNN?oc=5" target="_blank">Gulf states intercept new missiles and drones as Iran threatens to widen war</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 15
Iran-made drone killed French soldier in Iraqi Kurdistan
National Security

Iran-made drone killed French soldier in Iraqi Kurdistan

An Iranian drone has killed a French soldier in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, his commanding officer said on Friday, after President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the first French military death in the Middle East war. Since US-Israeli strikes on Iran last month engulfed the Middle East in war, multiple attacks attributed to pro-Iranian factions have targeted the region where foreign forces are based as part of an international anti-jihadist coalition. FRANCE 24's International Affairs Commentator Douglas Herbert tells us more.

AFP / France 24Mar 13
Up to 3.2 million people displaced across Iran amid US-Israeli attacks: UN
Global

Up to 3.2 million people displaced across Iran amid US-Israeli attacks: UN

UN refugee agency says forced displacement likely to increase as US and Israel continue deadly strikes across Iran.

Al JazeeraMar 12
U.S.-made Launcher Fired Missiles From Bahrain Toward Iran, Video Shows
National Security

U.S.-made Launcher Fired Missiles From Bahrain Toward Iran, Video Shows

It is unclear from the video alone whether the U.S. or Bahraini military launched the missiles. Iran has frequently accused Persian Gulf countries of allowing their territory to be used as a launchpad for U.S. attacks.

New York TimesMar 13
Exclusive: U.S. dismissed Ukraine deal for anti-Iran drone tech last year
National Security

Exclusive: U.S. dismissed Ukraine deal for anti-Iran drone tech last year

<p>Nearly seven months ago, Ukrainian officials tried to sell the U.S. their battle-proven technology for downing Iranian-made attack drones. They even made a PowerPoint presentation — obtained exclusively by Axios — showing how it could protect American forces and their allies in a <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/iran-war-countries-gulf-qatar-us" target="_blank">Middle East war</a>.</p><ul><li>The Trump administration dismissed the Ukrainians, only to reverse course last week because of <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/04/politics/us-air-defenses-iran-attack-drones-challenge" target="_blank">more-than-expected </a>drone strikes from Iran.</li></ul><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>Snubbing Ukraine's offer ranks as one of the biggest tactical miscalculations by the administration since the bombing of Iran began Feb. 28, two U.S. officials tell Axios.</p><hr><ul><li>Iran's inexpensive Shahed drones have been linked to the deaths of seven U.S. service members, and have...

AxiosMar 10
Read Next
Hacked data shines light on homeland security’s AI surveillance ambitions
National Security

Hacked data shines light on homeland security’s AI surveillance ambitions

<p>Records show DHS tech incubator spending large sums on partnerships that would expand surveillance capabilities</p><p>Hacked data from the Department of Homeland Security’s technology incubator shows it funding a variety of companies that would expand its surveillance capabilities with artificial intelligence, the Guardian can reveal.</p><p>The projects at the Office of Industry Partnership (OIP) include automated surveillance in airports; adapters allowing agents to use phones for biometric scanning; and an AI platform that ingests all 911 call data nationally and builds “geospatial heat maps” to “predict incident trends”, which appears to be a form of predictive policing.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/15/hacked-data-homeland-security">Continue reading...</a>

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources