On February 28, 2026, a tense quiet shattered across the Gulf as a series of massive explosions echoed through major cities—Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and even as far as Manama and Doha—signaling a dramatic escalation in Middle Eastern hostilities. The source? A fierce exchange of missile fire and airstrikes following coordinated U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iranian military sites, with Iran vowing swift retaliation. The reverberations of these actions were felt not just in the targeted cities, but in the anxious uncertainty that swept across the region’s residents, travelers, and global markets alike.
According to reports from Mathrubhumi and AFP, residents in Riyadh heard loud bangs and multiple explosions throughout the day, with many unsure whether the sounds came from intercepted missiles, air defense systems, or direct strikes. The Saudi authorities, quick to respond, temporarily closed their airspace as a precaution, leaving travelers stranded and airlines scrambling to reroute flights away from the increasingly volatile Gulf corridors. King Khalid International Airport remained operational, but the disruptions were palpable, echoing a broader sense of unease.
The joint U.S.–Israeli offensive, which marked a significant escalation in the ongoing Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict, targeted several Iranian cities, including Tehran. Military sites, missile production facilities, and even areas near the office of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were reportedly struck. Former President Donald Trump described the campaign as “major combat operations,” citing Iran’s continued nuclear and missile ambitions as justification for the preemptive strikes.
As Iranian officials vowed further retaliation, the fallout quickly spilled across the Gulf. In Abu Dhabi, witnesses described a harrowing scene: five booms in rapid succession rattled windows and nerves, with the Hindustan Times quoting a resident who said, “There were sounds of explosions, but they seemed to be from far away, probably missiles intercepted in the air.” The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Defence announced that it had successfully intercepted a number of Iranian ballistic missiles, but not without cost—one person in Abu Dhabi was killed by shrapnel, the first confirmed fatality outside Iran in this wave of attacks. The UAE government, in a strongly worded statement, condemned the assault as “a dangerous escalation” and reserved its full right to respond.
Dubai, too, was shaken by a loud bang, though officials have yet to confirm whether it was the result of missile interception or another cause. The uncertainty left residents on edge, as did the temporary closure of UAE airspace and the U.S. embassy’s urgent shelter-in-place order for staff and citizens in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The embassy’s message was clear: find a secure location, stay put, and await further instructions.
Bahrain and Qatar were not spared. Explosions near the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama sent smoke billowing over the Juffair district, while missile defenses in Qatar reportedly intercepted incoming Iranian missiles. Shailja, a resident of Doha, told Hindustan Times, “We hope to travel to India as soon as the airspace opens. So far, there’s been no damage in our area. But we are keeping a watch and staying close together.”
Kuwait, too, sounded civil defense sirens in response to multiple blasts linked to regional missile activity. Across the Gulf, authorities scrambled to reassure the public and maintain order, even as airspace closures and heightened security measures upended daily life and travel plans.
This sudden surge in violence comes at a particularly delicate moment for Saudi Arabia, which has been aggressively promoting itself as a global tourism destination under its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan. The explosions and ensuing travel chaos threaten to undermine these efforts, as Western governments issued urgent travel advisories. Canada’s government, for instance, warned of potential airspace disruptions, border movement limitations, and the need for visitors to shelter if directed by local authorities. Areas near volatile borders, especially with Yemen, were already considered off-limits for non-essential travel, but now even the heart of Riyadh felt precarious.
The broader impact on tourism and investment is already being felt. According to Reuters, cancellations, itinerary changes, and declines in visitor numbers are being reported across major Gulf destinations as travelers avoid perceived hotspots. Investor confidence, too, may waver if the security situation persists, threatening the ambitious events, festivals, and mega sporting occasions that Saudi authorities have been touting as part of their modernization drive.
Yet, for all the strategic maneuvering and geopolitical posturing, it’s the ordinary people on the ground who bear the brunt of the crisis. Residents and visitors alike are now living with heightened alertness. Security procedures throughout Saudi Arabia have reached new levels, and the unpredictability of the situation has left many unsure of what comes next. The missile activity, as Hindustan Times and AFP report, shows that the Israel-Iran conflict has started to extend beyond its immediate zone, raising serious concerns about Gulf security and the safety of international airspace. World leaders are watching closely, fearing that the conflict could spiral into a broader regional war.
For now, the advice from authorities and foreign governments is consistent: remain vigilant, follow local and international advisories, and be prepared for dynamic changes to movement, transport, and public safety information. The situation is evolving rapidly, and with Iran vowing further retaliation, the risk of additional hostilities remains high.
As the sun sets on a day marked by fear and uncertainty, one thing is clear: the Gulf region stands at a crossroads, its cities and people caught in the crossfire of a conflict that shows no sign of abating. The world waits, watches, and hopes that cooler heads will prevail before the next round of explosions lights up the night sky.