Residents of Dubai, a popular destination for British tourists, have been told to take shelter immediately after a security threat level was raised in the United Arab Emirates.
An alert shared on social media said: "The security threat level is elevated... Everyone must remain in their homes and safe places, and stay away from windows, glass facades, and exposed areas until the threat has passed, in order to preserve public safety."
US strikes on Iranian launchers
The warning came hours after the first major escalation in the US-Iran war in weeks. On Sunday, the US hit two Iranian launchers for the first time in weeks, with several people reportedly killed and injured. The strikes took place on Iran's Larak island on Sunday, August 31, and are the first known US strikes on Iran since late July.
The attack marks a major escalation in the conflict, which began after the US and Israel carried out joint strikes on several key Iranian sites on February 28.
Iranian retaliation and regional impact
Iran retaliated by striking US allies in the Middle East, including Dubai, and closing the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway. Explosions were also heard in neighbouring Qatar after the UAE alert, with the IRGC reportedly launching a wave of ballistic missiles targeting Al Udeid Air Base.
