Burj Khalifa evacuated, say reports as Iranian missile hit Dubai in retaliation to US-Israel attack

The U.S. and Israel on Saturday carried out a major attack on Iran, with President Donald Trump urging the Iranian people to “seize control of your destiny” and rise against the Islamic leadership that has governed the country since 1979.

In response, Iran launched missiles and drones targeting Israel as well as U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.

According to a report by The Sunday Guardian, authorities evacuated visitors and staff from the Burj Khalifa after nearby missile activity and explosions activated emergency protocols.

Police sealed off surrounding streets and urged residents to stay calm as investigations proceeded, the report stated.

The escalation disrupted flights across the Middle East, and air defence fire was reported over Dubai, the commercial hub of the United Arab Emirates.

The United States maintains a strategic military presence in the United Arab Emirates to safeguard maritime trade routes and support regional security operations.

State media said shrapnel from an Iranian missile strike in Abu Dhabi killed one person. Iran retaliated to the recent strikes as it had been warning for months, launching missiles and drones at Israel.

In a statement on X, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said, “The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemy's military assault.”

According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, at least 57 people were killed at a girls’ school in southern Iran during the Israeli-U.S. strikes, with dozens more injured.

(With inputs from agencies)

(This is a breaking story; check later for updates)