Dubai airport resumes flights: Latest developments in Middle East war

Dubai’s ​international airport resumed operations, following the temporary suspension of flights after a fuel tank fire caused by a drone attack on Monday, March 16, 2026.

Here are the latest events in the Middle East war:

Dubai resumes flights

Authorities said flights were gradually resuming at Dubai airport on Monday after a “drone-related incident” sparked a fuel tank fire nearby.

Following the incident, flights had been suspended at the airport, which is usually the world’s busiest for international travel but has seen major disruptions since the war erupted on February 28.

The Emirati defence ministry later said its air defence systems were intercepting a wave of Iranian drones and missiles, without specifying where in the Gulf nation.

Blasts in Tehran

Explosions hit the Iranian capital on Monday, hours after Israel said it conducted large-scale overnight strikes.

The blasts were heard in central Tehran as air defence systems were activated. It was not immediately clear what was targeted.

‘Limited’ operations

The Israeli military said on Monday it had begun what it described as “limited ground operations” against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

“In recent days, IDF troops from the 91st division have begun limited and targeted ground operations against key Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, aimed at enhancing the forward defence area,” the military said in a statement.

EU weighs naval mission

EU foreign ministers will on Monday discuss extending the bloc’s Red Sea naval mission to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, said the bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas.

US President Donald Trump is pressuring world powers to help reopen the vital oil transport conduit, which has effectively been shut by Iran.

Oil rises further

Oil prices rose further, with Brent North Sea Crude up three percent to $106.50 per barrel in Monday trading.

UAE oil zone attacked

A drone attack on oil infrastructure on the Fujairah oil industry zone on the UAE’s east coast sparked a large fire, authorities said.

Drones over Saudi

Saudi Arabia has intercepted 61 drones in the east of the country since midnight, according to a tally of defence ministry figures posted on X on Monday.

Oil price rises to $105/barrel

Missile strikes car in Abu Dhabi

A Palestinian civilian was killed on the outskirts of the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi when a missile hit their car, authorities said.

Iran to play World Cup

The Iranian men’s football team is still planning to play in the upcoming World Cup in North America, an Asian football official said, despite Trump warning their “life and safety” could be at risk.

“As far as we know, Iran is playing,” Windsor Paul John, the Asian Football Confederation’s general secretary, told a press conference.

Iran condemns ‘ecocide’

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israeli strikes on Tehran fuel depots constituted “ecocide” due to the long-term risks to residents’ health, AFP reported.

Trump ‘talking’ to Iran

Trump said the United States was in discussions with Iran but that Tehran was not ready for a deal to end the war, now in its third week.

“But I don’t think they’re ready. But they are getting pretty close,” Trump said. Iran’s foreign minister had denied earlier that any talks with the United States were taking place.

NATO, China pressured on Hormuz

Trump said NATO faces a “very bad” future if US allies fail to help open the Strait of Hormuz.

“It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” Trump said, adding that an upcoming summit in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping could be delayed as he presses for China’s help to open the strait.

Japan said it was not considering launching maritime security operations and Australia ruled out sending a navy ship to the Strait of Hormuz following Trump’s comments.

The Star