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An Iranian drone struck the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) on Friday, sending a large plume of smoke rising over central Dubai, as the United Arab Emirates said its air defenses were responding to a missile threat and Saudi Arabia intercepted two hostile drones.
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The strike on the DIFC, one of the Middle East's most prominent financial districts, marked an escalation in Iran's targeting of high-profile civilian and economic sites across the Gulf. Explosions were reported shortly after the impact.
The Dubai Government Media Office confirmed that debris fell on the facade of a building in central Dubai following an aerial interception, causing minor damage. No injuries were reported.
"Authorities confirm that debris from a successful interception caused a minor incident on the facade of a building in central Dubai. No injuries have been reported," the media office said. Authorities said they were investigating the incident.
The UAE's National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said the country's air defenses were dealing with a missile threat but provided no additional details.
Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry said two hostile drones were intercepted and destroyed in Al-Kharj Governorate.
Separately, a hostile drone was shot down near the embassies district in the Saudi capital, the ministry said.
The strikes continued a pattern of Iranian retaliatory attacks targeting Gulf states since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began on Feb. 28.
Iran has launched at least 727 missile strikes and thousands of drones at seven Arab countries, with the UAE bearing the heaviest toll.
The UAE has been subjected to over 1,000 Iranian attacks, more than any other targeted country, despite not participating in the war, according to the UAE's foreign affairs ministry. The ministry previously affirmed the UAE's right to self-defense under international law.
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