A dramatic video circulating on social media appears to show an Iranian Shahed drone plunging into Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah before erupting into a massive fireball. A loud explosion can be heard in the footage as the drone reportedly struck a building in the densely populated luxury district.

According to Reuters, emergency response teams rushed to the scene, and at least four people were injured in the incident. Another clip showed parts of a building engulfed in flames, with thick smoke billowing into the sky. Authorities later confirmed that the fire at Palm Jumeirah has been brought under control.

The authenticity of the viral videos, however, could not be independently verified. The intended target of the drone — often described as a kamikaze or suicide drone — remains unclear.

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai’s world-famous man-made archipelago known for its high-end resorts and waterfront residences, has rarely witnessed such incidents, making the visuals all the more alarming.

Regional Tensions Escalate

The reported strike comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following coordinated US-Israel military action against Tehran. Iran has responded by targeting multiple US bases across Gulf nations, calling them legitimate military objectives.

Dubai has been significantly affected by the fallout. Dubai International Airport — one of the world’s busiest transit hubs connecting Asia, Europe, and the United States — has been closed. Airports in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have seen stranded passengers as airlines suspended or cancelled flights across the region.

Several countries have also shut their airspace, triggering widespread travel disruptions and deepening concerns over regional stability.