Burj Khalifa Evacuated Amid Gulf Missile Strikes as US-Israel-Iran War Escalates

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai was evacuated on 28 February 2026 after loud explosions were reported across the city, part of the escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Iranian missile attacks have targeted US-linked bases across the Gulf, including Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain, while US and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iranian military infrastructure and leadership positions under Operation Epic Fury and Operation Lion's Roar.

In Dubai, residents reported sirens and rapid evacuations as authorities implemented emergency safety measures. The UAE Defence Ministry condemned the missile strike as a "flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law" and confirmed that at least one civilian was killed in Abu Dhabi. Similar alerts were issued in Doha, Kuwait City, and Riyadh, with explosions reported in multiple cities across the region.

The conflict has disrupted civilian life and air travel. Gulf states including Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE closed their airspace indefinitely, while Israel suspended all flights and activated a nationwide state of emergency. Hospitals in Israel, such as Sheba Medical Centre, moved operations underground while maintaining patient care.

US President Donald Trump confirmed major combat operations alongside Israel, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that attacks on Iranian military and leadership targets would continue "as long as needed." Iranian forces responded with missile salvos targeting US bases in the Gulf, warning that all American interests in the region are within reach.

The evacuation of Dubai's iconic skyscraper underscores the scale of civilian disruption amid a rapidly intensifying war, highlighting the threat to urban centers across the Gulf.