DUBAI: The Pakistani Embassy in the United Arab Emirates has urged its citizens to remain alert following escalating tensions in the region. In a post on X, the embassy advised Pakistani nationals in the UAE to stay vigilant, limit unnecessary travel, and confirm flight details with airlines before heading to airports.
It also encouraged citizens to remain in contact with Pakistani missions and to rely solely on official UAE government sources for accurate information, warning against spreading unverified reports on social media.
The advisory came after Iran launched missile attacks across parts of the Gulf, retaliating against earlier strikes carried out by the United States and Israel. The confrontation marks a sharp intensification of hostilities in a region typically regarded as stable and secure.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates reported that one person was killed in Abu Dhabi, though further details about the victim have not been released. Meanwhile, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan confirmed that their air defense systems intercepted Iranian missiles. All four countries host US military facilities.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards declared that both “occupied territories” and American military bases in the region had been targeted, stating that operations would continue until their objectives were achieved.
Earlier, Israel and the United States had conducted coordinated strikes on Iranian targets. US President Donald Trump said the goal was to dismantle Iran’s missile capabilities and stop it from advancing its nuclear program. Tehran responded with a broad missile barrage aimed at Israel and multiple Gulf states.
In Bahrain, officials confirmed that an attack struck within its territory, reportedly affecting a service facility linked to the US Fifth Fleet. Witnesses described seeing smoke rising near the coastline as warning sirens sounded.
Residents in Abu Dhabi reported hearing multiple loud explosions, with some receiving emergency phone alerts advising them to seek shelter indoors and stay away from windows. Similar sounds were heard in several neighborhoods, including areas near the Corniche, Al Dhafra, and Bateen. Fighter jets were observed flying over Yas Island during the afternoon.
In Doha, Qatar’s capital, several waves of explosions were heard as air defenses intercepted incoming missiles following what officials described as joint coordination efforts. Although the US Embassy initially advised residents to shelter, daily life appeared largely uninterrupted at first, with people visiting supermarkets, beaches, and tourist sites. However, once government-issued shelter-in-place alerts were sent to mobile phones, streets became noticeably quieter.
The Kuwaiti military said it neutralized missiles within its airspace, while Jordan reported downing two Iranian ballistic missiles.
As tensions rose, international airlines suspended numerous flights across the Middle East. Flight tracking data showed Iranian airspace largely cleared of civilian aircraft, reflecting growing security concerns across the region.
