New Delhi/Abu Dhabi/Tehran, 28 February (H.S.): Two witnesses reported hearing an explosion and seeing smoke rising from Dubai’s man-made island, Palm Jumeirah, as authorities confirmed that four people were injured in an incident that led to a fire in a building in the area.

The development came as Iran launched retaliatory strikes across the oil-rich Gulf region following joint US-Israel attacks on its territory. Dubai’s media office confirmed that the fire had been brought under control and the injured were shifted to medical facilities.

Iranian media reported that 201 people were killed and 747 injured in the US-Israeli strikes on Iran. There was no immediate independent confirmation of the figures.

The retaliatory strikes marked a widening of the conflict beyond Iran’s borders. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it had launched a “first wave” of drones and missiles targeting Israel, prompting a nationwide alert there. The Israeli military said it was working to intercept incoming projectiles.

In Bahrain, authorities stated that a missile targeted the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters. Sirens and explosions were reported in Kuwait and Qatar. Iraq and the United Arab Emirates shut their airspace, while warning sirens were heard in Jordan. In Abu Dhabi, one civilian was reported killed after being struck by falling debris, marking a fatality in Iran’s counteroffensive.

Reports also indicated that Iran launched strikes on several Gulf countries, except Oman, which has been acting as a mediator in US-Iran discussions.

Meanwhile, sources indicated that Iran’s Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohammed Pakpour were believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike. There was no immediate official confirmation from Iranian authorities.

The conflict escalated after Israel carried out what it described as pre-emptive strikes in Tehran, reportedly near facilities linked to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. US President Donald Trump later confirmed American participation in the operation and warned of further action. Israel declared a state of emergency and issued public advisories to remain near shelters.

Airspace closures were reported in Iran, Israel and Iraq, with several airlines cancelling flights. Reports from Tehran suggested disruptions to mobile and internet services, while in Israel schools and workplaces were either shut or directed to operate remotely.

Amid the escalating situation, the Indian Embassy in Israel issued an advisory asking Indian nationals to remain vigilant and follow local safety instructions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar