UAE Airspace Update: The United Arab Emirates briefly closed and then reopened its airspace Tuesday, temporarily halting flights in a crucial travel hub, as the country’s military said it was facing incoming attacks from Iran.
The temporary disruption came as war in the Middle East continued to rage. The Israeli military early Tuesday reported a salvo of Iranian missiles as sirens sounded south of the Sea of Galilee. No injuries were reported. The U.S. and Israel had pummeled military targets in Iran’s capital a day earlier, with Israel stepping up bombardments of Iran-backed militants in Lebanon.
Is Dubai Airport Open Today?
As per the official website, Dubai Airports has confirmed the gradual resumption of some flights to and from Dubai International (DXB) to selected destinations, following the temporary suspension implemented as a precautionary measure. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights.
Dubai Airports consist of Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International (DWC).
Middle East Crisis
Fears of a global energy crisis loomed even as a small number of ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil normally travels.
Iranian strikes on commercial ships in and around the strait have slowed shipping to a trickle, dramatically increasing oil prices and pressuring Washington to do something to ease the pain for consumers and the global economy.
Brent crude, the international standard, remained over $100 a barrel. U.S. President Donald Trump said he had demanded that roughly a half-dozen countries send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. But his appeals brought no immediate commitments.
Speaking of the strait, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said: “From our perspective it is open” – just not for the United States, Israel and its allies. Araghchi also rejected as “delusional” claims that Iran was looking for a negotiated end to the war.
Since the United States and Israel attacked Iran more than two weeks ago, Tehran has regularly fired drones and missiles at Israel, American bases in the region and Gulf Arab countries’ energy infrastructure.
Why UAE briefly closed airspace?
The UAE shut down its airspace as its military reported it was “responding to missile and drone threats from Iran.”
Authorities said “the situation stabilized,” allowing flights to resume.
The snap announcement showed the balancing act Emirati authorities face in trying to keep their long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad flying as Iranian attacks continue to target the country. On Monday, an Iranian drone attack set a fuel tank ablaze at Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel.
In Israel, an intercepted Iranian missile attack sprayed shrapnel Monday through Jerusalem’s Old City, hitting the rooftop of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, just meters (yards) from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built on what is revered by many Christians as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection.
Shrapnel also fell near the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, and within the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, the third-holiest site in Islam. Missile strikes on Jerusalem have been rare in the past.
(With agency inputs)
