Pakistani national killed in Iranian missile strike on UAE as gulf tensions soar

DUBAI: A Pakistani national was killed in Iranian missile strikes on the United Arab Emirates (UAE), diplomatic officials confirmed on Saturday, as the Middle East reeled from a sharp military escalation between Iran, Israel and the United States.

Officials told Geo News that the Pakistani citizen died in Abu Dhabi after being hit by missile fragments. Authorities are in contact with the UAE government, while the identity of the deceased has not yet been made public.

The fatality came hours after Israel and the United States launched coordinated strikes on Iran, triggering a sweeping missile retaliation by Tehran against Gulf states and Israel. US President Donald Trump had vowed to dismantle Iran’s missile arsenal and prevent it from developing nuclear weapons, raising fears of a broader regional war.

In response, Iran fired multiple missiles across the Gulf, with several Arab states confirming they were targeted. UAE state media earlier reported one death in Abu Dhabi without disclosing details.

The Pakistani embassy in the UAE urged nationals to remain calm and rely only on official sources for information. In an advisory posted on X, the mission asked citizens to avoid speculation, minimise non-essential travel, verify flight schedules before heading to airports, and remain in contact with Pakistani missions.

Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Jordan—all hosting US military facilities—said their air defence systems intercepted incoming Iranian missiles. Bahrain confirmed an attack within its territory, stating that a service centre of the US Fifth Fleet had been struck. Witness footage showed plumes of grey smoke rising near the coast as sirens wailed.

In Abu Dhabi, loud explosions were heard across multiple areas, including the Corniche, Al Dhafra and Bateen districts. Residents received mobile alerts instructing them to seek shelter and stay away from windows. Fighter jets were seen patrolling near Yas Island.

Qatar reported intercepting missiles before they reached its territory, with blasts heard in Doha. While daily life initially appeared undisturbed, government-issued shelter warnings later thinned traffic and emptied streets.

The Kuwaiti army said it engaged missiles in its airspace, and Jordan confirmed downing two Iranian ballistic missiles. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared that “all occupied territories and criminal US bases in the region” had been struck and vowed continued operations.

Global airlines suspended flights across the Middle East, with airspace over Iran appearing largely empty on flight-tracking maps, underscoring the scale of the unfolding crisis.