Before and after satellite images showed thick black smoke plumes over the Dubai skyline as retaliatory attacks by Iran intensified in the Middle East region, which widened the conflict. According to reports, the smoke emanated from debris that fell after Iranian missiles were intercepted.
Comparison Photos Show Previously Clear Sky and Black Smoke Clouds
Also Read | Sensex Falls 1,100 Points, Nifty 330 As Stock Market Open in Red on Monday Amid Middle East Tensions.
From Clear Skies to Smoke
An image dated February 24, 2026 show clear skies at an industrial hub near Palm Jumeirah at Jebel Ali Port, which is one of the world's busiest ports. However, another satellite image from March 2, 2026, shows dense black smoke over the skyline, and buildings appear to be engulfed in fire after being struck by an intercepted missile fired by Iranian military forces.
Locals in Dubai and other parts of the UAE reported explosions in several areas, mostly near US force bases, which were targeted by Iran in retaliation for US and Israel joint strikes against Tehran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini and 40 of its family members and senior leaders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Also Follow Live Updates on the US-Israel Attack Iran.
Later in retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of missiles in the Gulf, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan, while in the latest, Cyprus was also witness to Iranian missiles. In response to the strike on the UK’s RAF Akrotiri base, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said forces are responding to a suspected drone attack at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at midnight local time. The apparent attack came just hours after the UK agreed to let the US use British military bases to attack Iranian missile sites.