The conflict in the Middle East continued to escalate on Tuesday, with a new series of drone attacks targeting US diplomatic missions in the Gulf region. After the US Embassy in Riyadh was struck, a drone attack also sparked a fire near the US Consulate in Dubai.
Israel Says 300 Iranian Missile Launchers “Neutralized”
Israeli authorities announced that they have “put out of service” approximately 300 Iranian missile launchers since the beginning of joint strikes with the United States on February 28.
In a statement, the Israeli military said its air force had carried out more than 1,600 sorties targeting missile launchers and stockpiles. According to Israel, the sustained operations are aimed at reducing missile fire directed at its territory.
Fire Contained Near US Consulate in Dubai
In Dubai, a drone attack on Tuesday caused a fire near the US Consulate, which was quickly brought under control by local emergency teams, according to the emirate’s media office.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the strike hit “an adjacent parking lot” near the diplomatic compound. “All personnel are safe and accounted for,” Rubio told reporters.
Residents told AFP they heard a loud explosion, and one witness reported seeing flames rising from the area. An AFP journalist at the scene observed that police had established a security perimeter around the site. Earlier in the day, military aircraft were reportedly heard flying over Dubai, widely regarded as a major commercial hub in the Middle East.
In a statement posted on X, Dubai’s media office said: “The fire caused by a drone-related incident near the US Consulate has been successfully contained. Emergency teams responded immediately. No injuries have been reported.”
Coordinated Attacks Across the Gulf
The Dubai incident followed another drone attack earlier Tuesday on the US Embassy in Riyadh, where two drones caused a small fire.
Additionally, the US Embassy in Kuwait City was reportedly struck by drones on Monday, according to three diplomatic sources cited by AFP. An AFP correspondent observed smoke rising from the building.
These attacks come amid rising tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, as Tehran continues retaliatory strikes in the Gulf following US and Israeli operations.
In Washington, President Donald Trump promised a forthcoming response to the attacks on American diplomatic facilities. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to address the nation at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday in a televised speech focused on the international situation.
The rapid succession of strikes and counterstrikes has raised fears of a broader regional escalation.
