Fresh explosions were heard on Sunday morning in several major Gulf cities, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Manama, as the regional conflict continued to widen following a series of retaliatory strikes. AFP correspondents in the area reported hearing repeated blasts and seeing smoke rising along the horizon in Doha and other capitals, marking a dramatic escalation beyond the initial frontlines.
The latest explosions came after another day of Iran’s missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region in response to earlier United States–Israel military action that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader and other senior figures. In Dubai, the blasts were loud enough to be heard across the city, while in Manama, Bahrain, sirens were activated and residents reported explosions echoing through the capital. In Doha, AFP journalists observed thick black smoke rising from the south of the Qatari capital shortly after the blasts.
Across the United Arab Emirates, the strikes included significant waves of missiles and drones targeting military and infrastructure sites, leading to fire and smoke over major landmarks such as Jebel Ali port in Dubai and hits near airports in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Authorities in the UAE reported that most incoming threats have been intercepted by defence systems, though some debris caused fires and damage.
In Bahrain and Qatar both hosting important U.S. military bases explosions were also reported as part of the wider Iranian campaign. While detailed casualty figures from Sunday’s blasts were not immediately available, authorities warned residents to stay alert and monitor safety updates.
The spread of blasts to these Gulf capitals reflects the conflict’s growing geographic footprint, raising international concerns about further escalation and the security of the wider region, which has long been viewed as a hub of global commerce and energy supplies.
