The closure of the key shipping lane could have wider consequences (Picture: Zuma)
As fighting in Iran boils over, the most strategic oil passageway in the world – the Strait of Hormuz – is in the spotlight.
Concerns have been raised about just disruptions to the flow of Gulf oil shipments to Europe, the US and Asia after Iran said it was ‘closing’ the shipping lane.
About a fifth of the world’s oil is transited through the shipping lane, which splits Iran on one side and Oman and the UAE on the other, and links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea in the Indian Ocean.
Iran’s attacks on neighbouring Gulf States have prompted major energy companies, like QatarEnergy, to halt the production of liquefied natural gas, and global prices have already spiked.
Here’s how the closure of one of the largest shipping lanes could affect the world.
What does this mean for energy prices?
Petrol queues in the UK are already forming (Picture: SWNS)
The UK imports oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a variety of places, not just the Middle East.
However, if supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz are disrupted, then demand for alternatives goes up and there could be a significant rise in gas and electricity prices, which is what happened after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
David Aikman, director of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, warned: ‘If it persists, it will raise household bills and business costs in the months ahead, putting renewed upward pressure on inflation.”
Petrol stations across the UK are already seeing ‘sorry we are out’ signs as gas prices skyrocket and people look to fuel up.
Drivers have been told ‘not to panic buy’ by the AA as oil prices have subsequently skyrocketed, with the global benchmark Brent crude increasing by 13% – the highest level recorded since July 2024.
In Greater Manchester, dozens of vehicles were seen waiting for petrol at the Trafford Centre.
And in Kirkdale, Liverpool, queues for pumps stretched beyond stations and into nearby roads.
Shop prices could increase as well
At its narrowest point, the entirety of the sea is Iran and Oman’s territorial waters (Picture: Getty)
UK retailers are bracing for knock-on effects that could reach British shoppers in the form of higher prices and fewer discounts.
Again, the impact will depend on how long the conflict lasts, but rising oil and shipping costs alongside disruption to supply routes and raw materials could start to filter through to shop prices in the months ahead.
Analysts have said specific categories to watch include fragrance, as the Middle East plays a key role in producing ingredients used in many perfumes, particularly oud and other luxury scent bases.
The countries currently affected by conflict are also significant producers of dates, olive oil, nuts and spices such as saffron.
However, fashion, electronics and homeware could also be affected if freight costs increase or delivery times lengthen, as many UK brands rely on global supply routes that pass through or near the region.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz so important?
The passage allows about a fifth of the world’s oil through (Picture: Getty)
Tankers collecting from various ports on the Persian Gulf must go through Hormuz, a 60-mile-wide part of the Persian Gulf which has been at the heart of regional tensions for decades.
Although most chokepoints can be bypassed by using other routes, which often add significantly to transit time, some have no alternatives.
Maritime ship experts say shipowners are increasingly wary of using the waterway, with some ships having tightened security and others cancelling routes there.
Can Iran actually close the Strait of Hormuz?
Technically, yes.
The UN allows countries to exercise control of their territorial seas up to 13.8 miles from their coastlines, and some portions of the Strait lie entirely in Iran and Oman’s territorial waters.
Iran’s navy has been severely damaged by strikes, and it remains unclear just how it would have the manpower to shut it down, but experts warned the IRGC could lay mines using fast attack boats.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: Marco Rubio says US followed Israel into attacking Iran – whose war is it?
MORE: How lives were saved in Dubai’s ‘most iconic hotel’ Burj Al Arab hit in Iranian attack
MORE: Mossad spies ‘used traffic cameras to track Iran’s Ali Khamenei’
Children will likely have questions and be more aware than you realise (Picture: Getty Images)
As the crisis in the Middle East escalates, so do anxieties around the situation.
The US and Israel have launched airstrikes in Iran, and the conflict is spilling over into neighbouring countries, with missiles fired at a British airbase in Cyprus.
For those caught up in the violence and attacks, it’s unimaginable – and for those looking on from afar, the feelings of fear and helplessness can be overwhelming.
For children, who have less of an idea of what is going on, this can be even more terrifying.
Hearing words like ‘bombing’ and ‘World War Three’ without a full understanding of what’s going on is worrying for us all, and it doesn’t escape our little ones.
The news can be terrifying for little ones (Picture Getty Images)
‘Whether it’s on the news, someone talking to the shop checkout lady, parents chatting in the playground, or a TikTok video, much of what they are hearing, especially once at school, is out of your control.
‘And sometimes, external factors (for example, Kevin in the playground telling everyone that World War Three is starting and we’re all going to die) can provoke more of a fear response.’
Even very young children may be more aware of what war is than we might even realise.
‘Many children have been exposed to adults or older siblings playing war-type computer games or watching YouTube influencers play such games on their own or a friend’s mobile phone or tablet,’ Tania says.
‘So, words like “bombing” may not be as unfamiliar to our children as we might assume.’
Therefore, it’s worth considering your language around younger children.
But how is best to explain what’s going on to the children in your life? And how can you go about reassuring any anxieties (while also managing your own)?
Kids might be familiar with words like ‘war’ and ‘bombing’ because of video games and social media (Picture: Getty Images)
How to approach the subject
As parents and carers, we can feel like what we should be doing is giving them all of the facts and keeping them informed. But this approach can sometimes leave children feeling overwhelmed, Tania explains.
‘Children tend to be really good at spontaneous questioning. If they want to know something, they’ll ask,’ she says.
But if they do ask, or you feel that they need some explanation or reassurance, it’s important to think about how you’re feeling first.
Tania recommends: ‘First of all, you need to consider your own state of mind in relation to what is going on and how much information you would personally like to give your child.
‘This is important as even if you are led by your child’s questioning, you begin with at least some self-awareness of how you are feeling and where you want to go with it.
‘If you are particularly anxious about it all, it may be that you choose to wait until a time when you’re feeling less anxious to talk about it. Or perhaps having a discussion with another important adult in your child’s life, who can talk to your child instead, like a teacher or grandparent.’
Tania suggests that you may want to start with a non-specific question, like ‘have you learned about wars at school?’, and then listen to your child’s response.
‘What you’re doing here is enabling your child an opportunity to talk about something which they may not realise they can talk about,’ she notes.
‘If your child isn’t interested, they’ll tell you so, and there’s no need to push the conversation. If they go on to hear something at school, they’ll know you know about it, and be more likely to approach you with any questions.’
It’s always a good idea to let children know that, if they have any questions, they can ask you.
Let children ask you questions (Picture: Getty Images)
What can parents do and say to explain but not frighten?
Talking about the distance between the UK and ongoing events can be helpful, suggests Tania.
‘As much as we don’t want to normalise war, it is something that has been happening at varying points across the globe for the whole of your child’s life,’ she explains.
‘Knowing this can help to reassure your child that the chance they will be directly impacted is quite minimal.
‘Although they may want to talk to you about the people who are directly impacted. Keep language age-appropriate and be led by your child.
‘Taking action, such as getting in touch with a charity organisation that may accept shoebox-type gifts, is a really good way of showing your child that although this is happening far away, there are still small actions we can take to give our support.’
Active listening
Tania also recommends a technique called ‘active listening’, which you can use if your child is interested and wants to know more.
‘What you are doing here is paying full attention to your child during the whole conversation, ignoring distractions, and putting all your focus on listening to your child’s words,’ she tells us.
‘Listen to what they’re asking, and don’t give more information than they are asking for. We humans have a habit of oversharing, which is a situation when that’s not necessarily helpful.’
And if you don’t know all the answers to their questions, don’t be afraid to say you don’t know.
Tania adds: ‘Perhaps you can spend time searching for information together, or maybe you feel more comfortable saying you’ll find out and let them know later on.’
How to talk to kids of different age groups
News like this can be scary to children if not handled in the right way, and it will be different for different ages, explains Kirsty Ketley, a qualified early years and parenting consultant.
‘There is no ‘one way’ approach, as all children are different, but it is important that the subject is treated with sensitivity and understanding of what children need to know, weighed against what they are hearing from other sources,’ she tells us.
‘Children of all ages will also feel more worried when they think that no one is willing to talk about things that are worrying to them – they will think that it is too scary or upsetting to talk about, which then adds to their worries.’
Under seven
‘I think it is unlikely for this age group to properly pick up on what is going on,’ says Kirsty.
‘But, if they do overhear your conversations or see the news and ask questions, it is important to make sure they know they are safe and that what is happening is not in our country – perhaps showing them on a map or globe, so they can grasp the distance.
‘Kids of this age don’t need to be burdened with news that they are unable to understand, so if they don’t mention it, don’t bring it up. Let them be blissfully unaware.’
Jacqui O’Connell is a Youth Leader and Co-founder of the charity Spiritus, supporting homeschooled children in West London.
She says: ‘For younger children, we recommend reading a book about general worries and how to deal with them, such as Scared and Worried by psychiatrist James J Crist, PhD. You can then apply this to their worries about the situation with Ukraine and Russia.
‘Age-appropriate books on worries can help us discuss concerns and support children without too much detail.’
Tweens (between eight and 12)
‘Tweens are at an impressionable age and are more aware of the world around them,’ says Kirsty.
‘They will have learned about war and conflict in history lessons at school, and so they will have preconceived ideas of what it is all about.
She recommends watching something like Newsround, aimed towards 6-12-year-olds, which explains things in an appropriate way. ‘If you are worried about how to go about things, watch it with your child and then have a discussion about what you have watched.’
Another key to talking to children between the ages of 7-12 yrs is also how we question them.
‘Keep it positive,’ says educational expert and founder of KidCoachApp Kavin Wadhar.
‘Don’t ask why they are worried. Children often struggle to understand their emotions, which can lead to further anxiety. Instead, ask them questions to help them work out solutions to their worries.’
‘It is also crucial for parents to be aware of how they discuss the situation in the Middle East with other adults around children or in earshot.
‘Children are susceptible to how parents respond to issues, which can have a massive impact on a child’s anxieties. Studies have shown that children from as young as one to two years old will mimic parents’ behaviour.’
Teens (12 and above)
Kirsty suggests asking them what they already know and giving them lots of reassurance if they are worried.
‘Let them know that you are there to talk through things,’ she says.
‘I think it is important that they know that what they are seeing on social media won’t all be accurate and suggest that they watch the news or read reliable news sources online, instead.’
For teenagers, it is important to research the issues, look at the history of wars, and discuss why we have wars,’ support worker and joint founder of Spiritus, Gemma Eni Cherish, says.
‘We have had group discussions to give everyone a chance to share their point of view after exploring what is happening and why, which helps ease their concerns.
‘It also helps support children in finding their confidence as we suggest they develop ways to deal with anxieties. They build trust and confidence by sharing, and we all learn how to support each other.’
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE: Here’s who is in the running to become Iran’s next Supreme Leader
MORE: ‘Nobody wants to be on the first flight out of Qatar – missiles are being intercepted above’
MORE: British Iranians hope to return home after Ayatollah Khamenei’s death
PV Sindhu is set to miss the All England Open 2026 after being stranded in Dubai due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. Meanwhile, other Indian shuttlers have reached Birmingham despite the global travel crisis.
India’s two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu is all but out of the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championships 2026 in Birmingham without even playing a single match. She will most likely pull out of the tournament after being stranded in Dubai due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
The tournament is set to begin on Tuesday, but
Sindhu has been stuck in Dubai since Saturday following Iran’s attacks on several countries in the Middle East. The attacks came in response of the US-Israel bombing of Iran. This has resulted in closure of airspace across parts of the Gulf region.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Flights have been suspended in the region, which has led to major travel disruptions for people who use the United Arab Emirates as a transit point. The Dubai International Airport, where Sindhu was initially stuck with her team, was also hit during the attacks.
Sindhu’s Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama even had a narrow escape after an explosion occurred near his area. They were later shifted to a safer location with the help of Dubai authorities and the Indian High Commission. Now, it appears that Sindhu will have to pull out of the tournament as the date of the competition nears.
The Indian star was scheduled to face Thailand’s Supanida Katethong in the opening round. However, the Dubai airport and airspace are still closed and she is expected to withdraw from the All England Open. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is also monitoring the situation.
“The BWF and Badminton England are closely monitoring the travel challenges arising from the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East. We remain in regular contact with teams and players whose journeys to Birmingham for the All England Open 2026 may be affected. The safety and wellbeing of all athletes, officials and support personnel remain our highest priority,” a statement read.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Other participants reach safely
While Sindhu’s participation remains uncertain, some of her fellow shuttlers have managed to reach Birmingham via alternate routes of Singapore and Africa. However, it remains to be seen how the long and taxing travel will impact their preparations.
India’s top men’s singles contender Lakshya Sen and rising youngster Ayush Shetty, have reached without any travel issues. While Lakshya has drawn world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi of China, Ayush is up against Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan in the opening round.
For Lakshya, a former semifinalist and runner-up here, it will be another tough test against Shi, against whom he has lost four of his five previous meetings against the Chinese.
Ayush, the US Open Super 300 champion, will look to turn the tide against Farhan, having lost three of their five encounters, including the most recent one at the Indonesia Masters in January.
In women’s singles, Malvika Bansod faces a stiff opening challenge against Tokyo Olympics champion Chen Yufei of China.
Unnati Hooda, whose flight was cancelled on Sunday forcing her to travel via Africa, will need to overcome jet lag when she takes on Thailand’s eighth seed Pornpawee Chochuwong in her opener.
In men’s doubles, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, a former world No. 1, will spearhead India’s challenge against Malaysia’s Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai in the first round.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The women’s doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, who registered back-to-back semifinal finishes at the event in 2022 and 2023, will face Japan’s Sayaka Hirota and Ayako Sakuramoto.
In mixed doubles, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto are up against Malaysia’s Hoo Pang Ron and Cheng Su Yin, while Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde will meet fifth seeds Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue of France.
Prakash Padukone (1980) and Pullela Gopichand (2001) remain the only Indians to have won the All England title. Besides them, only Saina Nehwal (2015 runner-up) and Lakshya (2022 runner-up) have come close in recent years.
(With agency inputs)
Home
Sports
Badminton
PV Sindhu all but out of All England Open without playing a match due to Iran-Israel war
An RAF base in Cyprus was hit by a drone strike hours after Sir Keir Starmer let the US use British bases to attack Iran.
RAF Akrotiri was hit overnight by an unmanned Iranian-made Shahed drone which caused minor damage, the country’s president, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Monday morning.
There were no casualties in the blast, which took place at around midnight local time (10pm in the UK).
Non-essential staff at the base have been temporarily relocated following the attack.
An MoD spokesperson said earlier: ‘Our armed forces are responding to a suspected drone strike at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at midnight local time.
Police check vehicles on the road leading to RAF Akrotiri (Picture: REUTERS)
President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides confirmed the drone strike on Monday (Picture: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
‘Our force protection in the region is at the highest level and the base has responded to defend our people.
‘This is a live situation and further information will be provided in due course.’
The drone strike follow Sir Keir’s decision to allow the US use British military bases to attack Iranian missilesites.
The prime minister said he made the call ‘to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region… killing innocent civilians … putting British lives at risk … and hitting countries that have not been involved.’
However the Cypriot president said in a speech following the drone attack: ‘I want to be clear: Our country does not participate in any way and does not intend to be part of any military operation.’
He added that the country’s forces were on ‘alert and in full operational readiness’.
The last time RAF Akrotiri was attacked was by Libyan militants in the mid-1980s.
The base has previously been used for military operations in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
It is understood that the UK government recently moved additional resources to its bases in Cyprus in the lead-up to war breaking out in the Middle East.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: Brits tell of terror after missiles rain down on Dubai
MORE: Lucky escape for Brit in Dubai tower after Iranian drone smashes window interrupting his cup of tea
MORE: US say strikes ‘cut the head off the snake’ but Iran vows revenge for Khamenei kill
PV Sindhu has recounted a frightening experience at Dubai airport after flight operations were suspended due to Iran-Israel tensions while she was on her way to the All England Open Badminton Championships 2026. The Olympic medalist described hearing explosions and how her coach narrowly escaped danger.
India’s double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu went through a scary experience after she was left stranded at Dubai airport while travelling to the All England Open Badminton Championships on Saturday, February 28. Her journey was disrupted after flight operations were suspended due to the ongoing Iran-Israel war and the subsequent tensions in the Middle East.
Follow LIVE | Iran Israel War
Sindhu was on her way from Bengaluru to Birmingham to compete in the prestigious tournament, which is scheduled to take place from March 3 to March 8. However, things took an unexpected turn when her flight landed in Dubai and the
airspace was shut down due to missiles and drones reportedly fired by the Iranian authorities in response to attacks from Israel and the United States.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Sindu was left stranded at the airport as flight services were temporarily stopped. Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, Sindhu explained what happened. “Firstly, thank you all who have been reaching out and checking on us,” she was quoted as saying to the media outlet.
“Well, I was transiting from Bangalore, where I train and live full-time now, to Birmingham in the UK to compete in the All England championships. And you know, once our flight landed in Dubai, events beyond our control began to unfold, and shortly after, you know, the airspace also was shut down. And the last few hours have been extremely tense. We could hear the sounds of interceptions overhead, and a few hours later, there was an explosion very close to where we were holed up at Dubai Airport,” she said.
Sindhu said her coach was just about 100 metres away from where the explosion happened. He had to quickly move away from the area to stay safe. “My coach was barely about 100 meters away there. You know, it happened, and had to quickly move out of the area. You know, experiencing something like this in such close quarters is truly, you know, it truly shakes the very foundation you’re built on and you never expect these things to happen to you or anyone close to you,” Sindhu revealed.
The ordeal continues to unfold, and the situation is becoming more frightening by the hour.
A few hours ago, there was an explosion close to where we were holed up at the airport. My coach had to quickly run out of the area as he was closest to the smoke and debris. It was an… https://t.co/ZdNtuALk0P
“But sometimes situations are beyond your control. They do so, you know, I feel incredibly blessed to have such a strong and united team around me, and everyone has stayed calm, supported one another and shown real strength during a very frightening situation. And currently, we are safe now and have been moved to a more secure place,” she added.
Sindhu thanked the Dubai airport authorities and airline staff for their support. She also expressed gratitude towards the Indian High Commission in Dubai for their quick response. Sindhu said that when she reached out for help, the High Commission immediately deployed a high-priority team to assist them.
“I’m deeply, you know, grateful to the Dubai authorities and the staff and Dubai Airport. Also, we’ve been, you know, incredibly tireless in ensuring everyone’s safety. We’re also truly grateful to Emirates and the airport staff for being incredibly kind and supportive. You know, with so many passengers stranded, their hands were understandably tied, but they showed genuine empathy and care towards everyone going through this difficult experience,” Sindhu said.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
“I would also like to sincerely thank the Indian High Commission in Dubai for their extraordinary support. And when I reached out requesting assistance, the high commission immediately responded, and on high super priority notice, deployed his team to help us. They have been incredibly supportive of, not just to me, but to everyone stranded here, ensuring safety coordination and constant communication during a very difficult time, and anyone currently stuck or needing assistance is encouraged to reach out using the official Helpline Numbers shared by the high commission. And of course, we are truly blessed to have such a sensitised and credibile in looking out for Indian citizens here for now, we’re trying to get some rest and remain hopeful as the situation continues to unfold. So thank you for your prayers, messages and concern. It truly means a lot to all of us,” she concluded.
An Iranian state television anchor broke down in tears as he announced the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following coordinated US and Israeli airstrikes on Tehran.
Reading from an official statement issued by the National Supreme Council, the presenter said: ‘God is great. God is great.
‘With deep sorrow, it is announced to the nation of Iran that Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, was martyred today in a joint criminal attack by the United States and the Zionist regime.’
As he continued, his voice began to falter.
The statement described Ayatollah, 86, as a revered Islamic figure whose ‘long dream of martyrdom became true’. It also noted that he had been killed during the holy month of Ramadan.
Partway through the broadcast, the anchor became visibly emotional, covering his mouth with his hand and lowering his head as he tried to compose himself.
The anchor was visibly emotional throughout the broadcast (Picture: Telewebion)
Ayatollah was the leader of the country for decades (Picture: EPA)
Others could be heard crying off camera. He resumed reading but broke down again before finishing the announcement.
It is unknown if his tears were in mourning, fear for continued strikes on the country, relief at the end of the authoritarian regime, or some mixture of the three.
Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday that Khamenei had been killed in airstrikes targeting his compound in Tehran.
According to semi-official Tasnim news agency, he died in his office at home during the attack. Satellite images showed smoke rising from the site, and officials said his body was found under the rubble.
Four members of his family and two senior military commanders were also reported killed in the strikes.
His wife, Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, and several of his children and grandchildren were believed to have been at the compound.
He and his wife had six children: sons Massoud, Mojtaba, Mostafa and Meysam, and daughters Bushra and Hoda.
Counter-strikes launched by Iran have rained down on neighbouring countries, with one alleged to have hit the seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel (Picture: Noor Pictures/Shutterstock)
The government announced a 40-day mourning period and declared a seven-day national holiday. The statement read on air said that while Iranians were mourning, ‘martyrdom will spark a massive uprising in the fight against oppressors.’
US President Donald Trump had announced Khamenei’s death hours earlier in a post on Truth Social, calling him ‘one of the most evil people in History’.
Trump urged the people of Iran to ‘rise up’, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging them ‘to flood the streets and finish the job’.
US President Donald Trump stated that Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed on Truth Social (Picture: Getty Images)
Iranian officials initially dismissed reports of Khamenei’s death as psychological warfare, but later confirmed it as further strikes were reported across the country.
Crowds gathered overnight in parts of Tehran and other cities, with some mourning and others celebrating.
Khamenei had served as Iran’s supreme leader for nearly four decades and was a central figure in the country’s political and religious establishment.
His death marks a significant moment for the Islamic Republic as the conflict with the United States and Israel continues.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE: Four injured after Dubai International Airport hit by Iranian missile strike
MORE: Dubai’s ‘most iconic hotel’ Burj Al Arab hit by Iranian attack
MORE: Safest countries to be in if World War Three breaks out
Four people have been injured after a missile hit Dubai International Airport.
The Dubai media office said on Saturday the airport sustained damage due to an ‘incident’, as Iran continued to launch strikes on U.S. bases in the region.
They said: ‘Dubai Airports confirms that a concourse at Dubai International (DXB) sustained minor damage in an incident, which was quickly contained.’
The country, along with the rest of the Middle East, has been bombarded with missile strikes as Iran retaliates against the US-Israel’s ‘Operation Epic Fury’.
The two countries launched ‘preemptive’ missile attacks in Tehran, reportedly killing the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Dubai media office said on Saturday the airport sustained damage due to an ‘incident’ (Picture: @WISEWISDOM_2022)
Rubble seen from inside the airport (Picture: @WISEWISDOM_2022)
Other buildings in Dubai have been struck, including the iconic Palm Jumeirah resort which was hit by falling debris.
Smoke and flames were seen billowing from near the beachside Fairmont The Palm Hotel, after several bangs were heard by holidaymakers across the Emirati city.
Footage of the incident showed the five-star £245 million ($330 million) hotel engulfed in flames as air defence systems intercepted several Iranian missiles bound for targets in the UAE.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: Vicky Pattison reveals she’s ‘stuck in Dubai’ after Iranian missile airstrike
MORE: Dubai’s ‘most iconic hotel’ Burj Al Arab hit by Iranian attack
MORE: Safest countries to be in if World War Three breaks out
 "PV Sindhu all but out of All England Open without playing a match due to Iran-Israel war")
 "‘Very frightening situation’: PV Sindhu witnesses coach survive bomb scare at Dubai airport, recounts everything")
