Debris has plummeted from the sky after air-defence systems in Dubai intercepted a strike overhead – as those near the airport reported hearing a loud ‘boom’ above.
Flights bound for Dubai International Airport – which is the world’s busiest for international travel and has been attempting to restart service – circled at a distance just before the interception.
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No-one has been injured and ‘an interception has been successfully contained, according to authorities.
A spokesperson for the Dubai Media Office said: “Dubai authorities have confirmed that a minor incident resulting from the fall of debris after an interception has been successfully contained.
“No injuries have been reported. Authorities have also denied reports circulating on social media regarding any incidents at Dubai International Airport.”
This comes as Iran’s Mehrabad Airport in Tehran has been struck in a wave of airstrikes. Footage shows the sky illuminated in red with a substantial fire erupting.
The Israeli military has announced it is initiating a “broad-scale new wave of strikes” in the country – the IDF [Israel Defence Federation] alleges that Iran has launched several missiles.
Almost 20,000 flights across the Middle East have been cancelled since last weekend, following attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel.
In a social media post on Friday, Mr Trump declared “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”.
Following a surrender, “and the selection of a GREAT and ACCEPTABLE Leader(s),” he stated that the US and its allies would assist in rebuilding Iran, making it “economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before”.
The conflict has resulted in at least 1,230 fatalities in Iran, over 200 in Lebanon and approximately a dozen in Israel, according to officials from these countries.
Mr Pezeshkian posted on social media that “some countries” had initiated mediation efforts, without providing further details.
Mr Trump has also informed media outlets that he should have a say in selecting a successor for Mr Khamenei, who was killed in the initial strikes of the war. He spoke dismissively of the former leader’s son Mojtaba Khamenei – a front-runner to replace his father – labelling him “a lightweight”.
