Gulf airport, port and refinery sites report fire incidents following Iran attacks
Iranian missile and drone attacks across the Gulf, launched in retaliation after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, have reportedly caused damage and secondary fires at multiple sites in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), primarily from falling debris of intercepted projectiles.
These affected Dubai’s aviation, hospitality, and port infrastructure, including Dubai International Airport, the Burj Al Arab and Fairmont The Palm hotels, and Jebel Ali Port.
A separate incident in Saudi Arabia saw two Iranian drones intercepted near Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura refinery, with debris triggering a limited fire and prompting a precautionary operational shutdown.
Executive Brief – MENA Escalation and Infrastructure Impact
According to a March 2 security advisory issued by global risk consultancy MAX Security, hostilities across the Middle East have broadened following U.S.–Israel strikes on Iran, with Hezbollah and Iran-backed Iraqi militias entering the conflict between March 1–2.
The update reports continued Iranian missile and UAV attacks targeting Gulf states, identifying Bahrain, the UAE and Kuwait as among the most heavily affected.
Projectiles and debris have reportedly impacted civilian and economic infrastructure, including airports, ports and high-rise buildings across the Gulf.
On March 2, an Iranian UAV struck Saudi Arabia’s Aramco refinery in Ras Tanura, causing a fire and a temporary suspension of operations.
The advisory also references maritime incidents involving commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, alongside airspace closures and flight suspensions across multiple states.
The report assesses that the security environment across the Levant and Gulf remains volatile, with continued retaliatory activity and operational disruption likely in the short term.
UAE air defence interceptions and reported casualties
The UAE Ministry of Defence said the country’s air defence forces detected 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 541 drones since the start of the Iranian attacks on February 28.
It reported that 152 ballistic missiles and 506 drones were intercepted, while other munitions were destroyed or fell into the sea or within UAE territory, causing material damage, according to the Bahrain News Agency.
The Ministry also reported three fatalities and 58 minor injuries linked to the attacks and their effects, as carried by the Qatar News Agency. Casualty reporting was also covered by TIME.
Dubai: hotel and landmark sites affected
Dubai International Airport (DXB): Reuters reported that a concourse sustained minor damage in an incident that was “quickly contained,” and that four people were injured, citing statements carried by Dubai’s media office.
Burj Al Arab: Reuters also reported damage at the landmark hotel. Additional reporting from Al Jazeera and coverage from The New York Times described incidents in Dubai linked to debris from intercepted drones or missiles, including a minor façade fire that was brought under control.
Fairmont The Palm (Palm Jumeirah): A fire near the entrance/lower levels of the hotel during the attacks was reported by BBC News, with additional video coverage from The Guardian. Authorities said the blaze was brought under control and injuries were reported.
Jebel Ali Port: berth fire and operational disruption
A fire broke out at a berth at Jebel Ali Port after debris from an intercepted projectile fell at the site, according to imagery and reporting from Reuters. Broader disruption to Gulf transport and business operations was further detailed by Reuters and covered by BBC News.
Regional aviation disruptions
Air travel across the Middle East remained affected as the conflict moved into its third day, with airlines urging passengers to check flight status amid shifting airspace restrictions, according to Euronews. Broader logistics and business impacts across the Gulf were also reported by Reuters.
Saudi Arabia: Ras Tanura refinery incident
On March 2, Reuters reported that Saudi Aramco shut its Ras Tanura refinery (550,000 barrels per day capacity) after a drone strike, citing an industry source.
The report stated that the incident caused a small fire, with no reported injuries, and that operations were halted as a precaution while damage was assessed.
Additional reporting from Bloomberg and Anadolu Agency also covered the drone incident and resulting operational suspension.