A building in Dubai’s financial hub was damaged by debris from an intercepted attack, witnesses confirm, following threats from Iran against US and Israeli-linked targets.
DUBAI: A building in Dubai’s financial district was damaged by debris from an intercepted attack on Friday, according to witnesses and an AFP journalist.
The incident follows days of heightened tension after Iran threatened US and Israeli-linked economic targets.
Several major firms, including Citi, Deloitte, and PwC, had evacuated offices in the Dubai International Financial Centre earlier in the week.
Two witnesses described hearing loud bangs before seeing damage to a building in the DIFC.
Dubai’s media office confirmed the facade of a building in “central Dubai” was hit by debris from a successful interception.
“I jumped out of bed — that was the loudest sound I’ve ever heard,” said one nearby resident who requested anonymity.
“It was so loud, I was so sure when I looked out the window that it was going to be something catastrophic… The ground shook,” they added.
An AFP correspondent also reported hearing a huge double blast that rattled buildings and left a large cloud of black smoke.
This comes a day after a drone fell near the DIFC, following Tehran’s threats.
The United Arab Emirates’ air defences have intercepted more than 1,500 Iranian drones and nearly 300 missiles during the Middle East war.
Later, Abu Dhabi police said they arrested 45 people, including foreigners, for filming and “spreading misinformation” on the attacks.
Residents have received text messages warning of legal action for sharing sensitive images or unreliable information.
Nasser Saidi, a former chief economist at the DIFC Authority, told AFP the centre plays a “strategic role” in Dubai’s long-term economic plan.
“DIFC has transitioned from a regional hub to a top-tier global financial capital,” he said.
“The ongoing conflict highlights the necessity of a neutral, soundly regulated and operationally resilient hub,” he added.
Iran has targeted US assets and civilian infrastructure around the Gulf after US-Israeli attacks decimated its leadership.
The Gulf has borne the brunt of Iran’s attacks, with 26 people killed in the region since the war began.
