The United Arab Emirates has reopened its airspace after a temporary closure on Tuesday due to drone and missile threats from Iran, the Gulf state's aviation authority announced. The General Civil Aviation Authority had shut the airspace as an exceptional precautionary measure to ensure flight safety, according to the state news agency.
The UAE's Ministry of Defence confirmed that air defences were responding to incoming missiles and drones from Iran. The closure caused significant disruption to air travel, with flights delayed or cancelled across the region.
Meanwhile, an unknown projectile struck a tanker 23 nautical miles east of Fujairah in the UAE, causing minor structural damage but no injuries or environmental impact, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported.
In a related development, the US embassy in Baghdad was targeted by a wave of drone and rocket attacks early Tuesday, described as the most intense assault since the attacks began. Iraqi security sources reported that at least five drones were involved, with one crashing inside the embassy compound. Air defences intercepted another drone, and black smoke was seen rising after an explosion.
The Israeli military launched simultaneous waves of extensive strikes on Tehran and Beirut, targeting Iranian regime infrastructure and Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. The strikes come amid heightened tensions following Iran's attack on Israel.
Global oil prices have surged by about 40% in March due to the Middle East conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of global inflation. In Australia, petrol prices have exceeded A$2.30 per litre, prompting the consumer watchdog to call an emergency meeting with major fuel suppliers.
