Drone hits Dubai’s 23 Marina Tower: Debris smashes into 1,300ft, 88-storey skyscraper after Iranian attack intercepted, sending smoke billowing from upper floors: Live updates

By ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and OLIVIA ALLHUSEN, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER

Updated: 13:44 EST, 7 March 2026

A luxury residential skyscraper in Dubai has been struck by debris from an Iranian missile that was intercepted by the UAE, officials have confirmed.

Photographs and footage shows smoke rising from the 23 Marina tower, which stands 88-storeys tall and comprises more than 280 units.

The Dubai Media Office confirmed that debris resulting from a ‘successful interception’ had caused a ‘minor incident’ on the facade of the residential tower.

Elsewhere,  US President Donald Trump has said that Iran ‘will be hit very hard’ today and dubbed the country the ‘loser of the Middle East’, after Dubai Airport was evacuated following an Iranian drone attack.

Meanwhile the UK has halved the readiness time for aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales ahead of a possible deployment to the region. 

Luxury Dubai skyscraper ‘struck by debris from intercepted drone’

A luxury residential skyscraper in Dubai has been struck by debris from an Iranian missile that was intercepted by the UAE, officials have confirmed.

Photographs and footage shows smoke rising from the 23 Marina tower, which stands 88-storeys tall and comprises more than 280 units.

Iran has continued to launch missiles and drones at targets across the Gulf despite an earlier apology President Masoud Pezeshkian referring to previous strikes, adding the country will ‘no longer attack neighboring countries or launch missiles unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries.’

The Emirates had earlier reported ‘incoming missile and drone threats from Iran’.

The Dubai Media Office confirmed that debris resulting from a ‘successful interception’ had caused a ‘minor incident’ on the facade of the residential tower.

It added that the situation was contained and there are no reported injuries.

Iranian Foreign Minister: Trump has killed our ‘openness to de-escalation’

Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has claimed US President Donald Trump has killed the country’s ‘openness to de-escalation’.

He said in a statement on Saturday night that Iran’s military is ‘prepared’ for military action to increase over the next few days.

Araghchi said in a statement: ‘President Pezeshkian’s openness to de-escalation within out region – provided that our neighbours’ airspace, territory, and waters are not used to attack the Iranian people – was almost immediately killed by President Trump’s misinterpretation of our capabilities, determination and intent.

‘If Mr Trump seeks escalation, it is precisely what our powerful armed forces have long been prepared for, and what he will get.

‘Responsibility for any intensification of Iran’s exercise of self-defence will lie squarely with the US administration.’

Mr Araghchi also claimed the campaign had ‘already cost the US military $100bn’, that it had been driven by ‘a small cabal of Israel Firsters’ and that putting ‘”Israel First” always means “America Last”.’

Analysts: Conflict could lead to ‘weeks or months of higher fuel prices’

The US-Israel war with Iran could leave consumers and businesses around the world ‘facing weeks or months of higher fuel prices’, analysts have said.

Even if the week-old conflict ends quickly, suppliers will have to grapple with damaged facilities, disrupted logistics, and elevated risks to shipping.

The outlook poses a global economic threat and a political vulnerability for US President Donald Trump ahead of the midterm elections.

‘The market is shifting from pricing pure geopolitical risk to grappling with tangible operational disruption, as refinery shutdowns and export constraints begin to impair crude processing and regional supply flows,’ JP Morgan analysts said.

The conflict has already led to the suspension of around a fifth of global crude and natural gas supply, as Tehran targets ships in the vital Strait of Hormuz between its shores and Oman, and attacks energy infrastructure across the region.

Global oil prices have surged more than 25% since the start of the war, driving up fuel prices for consumers worldwide.

A nearly complete shutdown of the Strait means the region’s giant oil producers – Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Kuwait – have had to suspend shipments of as much as 140 million barrels of oil – equal to about 1.4 days of global demand – to global refiners.

As a result, oil and gas storage at facilities in the Middle East Gulf are rapidly filling, forcing oil fields in Iraq and Kuwait to cut oil production, with the United Arab Emirates likely to cut next, analysts, traders and sources have said.

Footage shows explosion in TehranDonald Trump calls Iran ‘The Loser Of The Middle East’

Donald Trump branded Iran ‘The Loser Of The Middle East’ in a Truth Social post

Image shows interception over Qatar

A video appearing to show a missile being intercepted over Qatar was posted on Instagram with the caption: ‘Message from IRGC about not bombing Arab neighbours hasn’t disseminated quite yet…’

It comes after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says the country will ‘no longer attack neighboring countries or launch missiles unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries.’

Pictured: A still image taken from the Instagram video

Breaking:Residents in southern Beirut warned to evacuate by Israeli military

Residents in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut have been issued with a new evacuation order by the Israeli military.

In an update, the Israel Defense Force’s Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee warns citizens in the south of the Lebanese capital: ‘Save your lives and evacuate your homes immediately’.

He says the activity by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Dahieh ‘is forcing the Israel Defense Forces to act against it forcefully’.

The military spokesperson shares a map of the most heavily affected areas and warns: ‘Failure to comply with the warnings and remaining in this area may endanger your lives and the lives of your families.’

Israel targets IRGC air force headquarters

The Israeli military says it has attacked the ‘central air defence command centre’ of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force, ‘In the heart of Tehran.’

It said it struck air defence systems, headquarters, warehouses and other structures near the centre.

It added that it also hit a site used to produce and launch ballistic missiles, which it claimed included warehouses for Quds Force combat equipment.

Qatar’s military intercepts ‘missile attack’ – Ministry of Defence

Qatar’s Ministry of Defence says it has intercepted a ‘missile attack’ targeting the state of Qatar.

It does not say who fired the missiles, but follows a statement from Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian who earlier said that Iran will not attack neighbouring countries ‘unless attacked first’.

Iran vows to continue attacking neighbours aiding enemies

Iran’s hardline judiciary chief said the Islamic republic would continue targeting regional neighbours offering its enemies “points… used in agression against our country”.

‘Evidence from Iran’s armed forces shows that the geography of some countries in the region is openly and covertly at the disposal of the enemy,’ said Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, who is also a member of the interim leadership council.

‘The heavy attacks on these targets will continue,’ he added.

UAE president says country ‘no easy prey’

The president of the United Arab Emirates said his nation was in a time of war but was well and told his enemies it was no easy prey, in his first public comments since Iran launched missiles at its Gulf neighbour amid U.S.-Israeli strikes.

‘The UAE has thick skin and bitter flesh – we are no easy prey,’ Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also ruler of Abu Dhabi, said in comments, made on Friday when visiting those injured in strikes, aired on Abu Dhabi TV on Saturday.

‘We will carry out our duty towards our country, our people, and our residents who are also part of our family,’ he said.

The UAE, which consists of seven emirates including Dubai, would protect everyone in the country, he said.

Pictured: President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets an injured patient receiving treatment at a hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Iran’s Assembly of Experts to meet to chose new supreme leader within a day

Iran’s Assembly of Experts will meet within one day to chose a new supreme leader, according to assembly member Ayatollah Mozafari, cited by Iranian media.

Iran’s state media said a meeting of the assembly’s 88 members will take place to decide who assumes the role after Khamenei’s death.

A three-man leadership council was formed after Khamenei was killed on Feb 28. It includes Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s president, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of justice, and Alireza Arafi, a senior cleric.

During his time as supreme leader, Khamenei never publicly named a successor.

Israeli and US strikes flattened the Assembly of Experts complex, where the meeting to chose the next Supreme leader is held, on Monday.

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Drone hits Dubai’s 23 Marina Tower: Debris smashes into 1,300ft, 88-storey skyscraper after Iranian attack intercepted, sending smoke billowing from upper floors: Live updates