Iran-Israel Conflict Intensifies with Deadly Missile Exchanges
A video released by Iran's state-linked Fars News Agency appears to show a plume of smoke rising from an area near the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, as people are seen running from the scene. The exact location and distance of the explosion from the landmark skyscraper remain unclear, adding to the confusion and tension in the region.
Major Combat Operations Launched by US and Israel
The incident comes as the United States and Israel launched what President Donald Trump described as "major combat operations" against Iran. Washington and Tel Aviv stated that the strikes were aimed at crippling Iran's military capabilities and preventing it from developing a nuclear weapon. Iranian state media, citing the Red Crescent, reported that at least 201 people were killed and more than 700 injured in these coordinated attacks.
Iran's Retaliatory Strikes and Regional Impact
Iran responded by firing missiles and drones towards Israel and at US military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. Shrapnel from one Iranian missile attack reportedly killed a person in the United Arab Emirates, as air defence systems were activated across parts of the Gulf. In response to the escalating violence, Iraq and the UAE temporarily closed their airspace, while sirens were heard in Jordan, indicating widespread regional disruption.
Political Statements and International Reactions
In an eight-minute video message, Trump urged Iranians to "seize control of your destiny" and later said: "When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take." He framed the operation as necessary to end what he called the threat posed by Iran's leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iran's foreign ministry condemned the strikes as "unprovoked, illegal and absolutely illegitimate", while its Revolutionary Guard launched counterattacks. The United Nations Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting to address the crisis, and the UN's nuclear watchdog said it was closely monitoring developments with "no evidence of radiological impact" reported so far.
Disruption to Air Travel and Ongoing Conflict
As missile exchanges continued into the night, commercial flights across the Middle East were severely disrupted. Major carriers suspended routes and rerouted aircraft to avoid conflict zones, causing significant travel chaos. The ongoing hostilities have raised fears of a broader regional war, with diplomatic efforts underway to de-escalate the situation.
