Summary
- UAE authorities operated 3 special Etihad Rail passenger services, transporting more than 350 people ahead of its official launch amid flight suspensions.
- UAE intercepted 3 ballistic missiles, 121 drones; 78 total injuries reported so far. In the evening, Dubai announced another wave of successful interceptions by defence forces, without injuries recorded.
- Emirates flights will remain suspended until March 7, Etihad flights will remain suspended until March 6.
- The US attacked an Iranian submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka, killing at least 87; Trump is “actively considering” a US role in Iran after the conflict concludes.
- UAE announced that second-semester grades for public schools will be determined based on completed projects.
- UAE participated in an emergency meeting with GCC officials about strengthening security. On Thursday, another emergency meeting between the GCC officials and European leaders will take place.
- UAE has announced that it will waive visa overstay fines for passengers affected by airspace closure.
- Israel began a fresh wave of strikes on Tehran, saying they were targeting military infrastructure.
12:20 AM, Mar 05, 2026
Keep following our coverage
As the US-Israel-Iran conflict entered its fifth day, the countries traded massive blows, with ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz seeing severe damage.
In the GCC, Qatar was hit by a series of strikes that compromised its state energy facility. UAE intercepted three ballistic missiles and the total number of injured in the country so far is 78.
The country continues to facilitate life for stranded passengers who cannot leave due to airspace closures. The UAE has waived their visa overstay fee until they can leave the country.
Meanwhile, Israel began a fresh wave of strikes on Tehran as the conflict continued to Day 6. Stay tuned to get the latest local, regional and global developments on the situation.
12:16 AM, Mar 05, 2026
Creator of post that caused panic arrested in Jordan
Jordan News Agency reported that the publisher of the post that reportedly caused panic and called on citizens to evacuate their homes in Azraq has been arrested.
12:15 AM, Mar 05, 2026
Export of food products prohibited
Kuwait has issued urgent customs instructions to all land, sea, and air ports prohibiting the export of food products of all kinds.
The instructions emphasise full compliance with approved procedures and taking necessary measures against any violations, in order to preserve food security and ensure the stability of the local market.
The reason for the instructions is unclear.
12:07 AM, Mar 05, 2026
Kuwait Airways to operate flights for citizens wishing to return via Saudi
Kuwait Airways announced on Wednesday that it will operate several flights exclusively for Kuwaiti citizens wishing to return via Saudi Arabia.
The company said that the destinations include Manchester, London, Barcelona, Munich, Paris, Milan, Istanbul, Sofia, Manila, Cairo and Amman.
12:02 AM, Mar 05, 2026
Israel army says it has begun new wave of strikes on Tehran
The Israeli military announced it had launched a new wave of strikes in Tehran on Wednesday, saying they were targeting military infrastructure belonging to the “Iranian regime”.
“The IDF has begun an additional wave of strikes targeting military infrastructure belonging to the Iranian regime across Tehran,” the military said in a statement.
12:01 AM, Mar 05, 2026
‘Will not surrender’
Hezbollah leader says ‘will not surrender’, in first speech since the Lebanese group resumed fighting with Israel following the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
11:47 PM, Mar 04, 2026
Most flights remain suspended, says DXB
Dubai International has warned passengers to check their flight status and make sure their tickets are confirmed before heading to the airport, since most flights remain suspended.
“Guests without a confirmed flight may not be able to access the terminals,” read the advisory from the airport.
11:17 PM, Mar 04, 2026
US opens crisis intake form for American citizens in UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel
The US Department of State said that it is “taking historic action to assist American citizens, who wish to depart the Middle East, return to the United States,” by opening a crisis intake form for US citizens in UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel.
US working on plan to secure Strait of Hormuz, White House says
The Pentagon and the US Energy Department are working on plans to secure the Strait of Hormuz to ensure safety for oil tankers amid the war on Iran, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday, declining to offer details on timing, according to AFP.
Oman shares visa requirements for Indians
Visa requirements for Indians to enter Oman are now as follows:
- Travellers must apply for an e-Visa prior to travel through authorised travel agents on Royal Oman Police website.
- Indian passport holders who hold a valid visa or residence permit from the USA, UK, Canada, Japan, or Schengen countries can get visa on arrival and can enter for up to 14 days, provided they have a return ticket, hotel booking, and health insurance.
- Indian citizens residing in GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) and holding valid resident cards can also get a visa on arrival.
- Holders of student resident cards from GCC countries require to obtain visit visa before entering Oman.
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months for applying for the visa.
9:46 PM, Mar 04, 2026
Iran President says no choice but to defend
In a post on X, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the leaders of neighbouring countries, saying that Iran has tried to avoid war with the Arab nations’ “assistance and diplomacy”, but that the US-Israel attack left the Islamic Republic with no choice but to defend itself.
“We respect your sovereignty and still believe that the region’s peace must be ensured by the countries of the region.”
Over 17,500 Americans left region since beginning of conflict, says US official
US Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson said that since the beginning of the conflict, over 17,500 American citizens have returned to the US from the Middle East. He added that over 8,500 citizens returned yesterday alone.
“Many more Americans have left the Middle East to other countries in Europe and Asia, and others have safely departed the Middle East but are still in transit back to the US,” he said.
He also said that the State Department 24/7 Task Force is continuing to “actively assist any American citizen abroad who wishes to depart the Middle East.”
9:16 PM, Mar 04, 2026
UAE waives overstay fines for passengers affected by airspace closure
UAE has announced that passengers who were on tourist visa or cancelled their residency visa and expected to leave during the airspace closure will not have to pay overstay fines.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security said that the exemption applies to fines incurred on or after February 28, 2026.
9:09 PM, Mar 04, 2026
Emirates confirms flight from Mumbai landed safely in Dubai
An Emirates flight from Mumbai to Dubai landed safely after briefly rerouting during its journey earlier this week, the airline confirmed in a statement issued to Khaleej Times.
“Emirates can confirm that flight EK500, operating from Mumbai to Dubai on March 2, was rerouted in line with air traffic control instructions. The flight landed safely in Dubai with a one-hour delay,” an Emirates spokesperson said.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed that the aircraft made a temporary course adjustment over the Gulf of Oman before continuing towards Dubai. The aircraft later resumed its route and completed the journey without incident.
What to do if you come across a fallen missile?
Kuwait has shared a list of measures to follow if you happen upon an object that looks to be part of a fallen missile or projectile.
- Do not touch or approach the object.
- Move away from the location immediately yourself and keep others away too.
- Report it to security authorities with the exact location.
- Allow the specialised teams to handle the site.
Iran threatens to target Israeli missions around the world
Iran’s armed forces have threatened to target Israeli missions worldwide if Israel were to attack Tehran’s mission in Lebanon, a military spokesman said, according to AFP.
Abolfazl Shekarchi, the spokesman of the Iranian armed forces, said live on television that “if Israel commits such a crime, it will force us to make all Israeli embassies around the world our legitimate target”.
Stranded Filipinos leave the UAE
The first batch of stranded Filipinos in the UAE have left Dubai International Airport (DXB) via Emirates flight EK 336 at 6.07pm UAE time (10.07pm Philippine time) on Wednesday, Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) secretary Hans Leo Cacdac confirmed.
Speaking from the DMW office in Manila, Cacdac said in a short video posted on X, “A total of 299 Filipino passengers — who are mostly women, plus infants and children — are expected to land at NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport ), at around 6am (Philippine time; 2am UAE time) tomorrow (Thursday, March 5).”
The returning Filipinos are part of the 407 total passengers of flight EK 336 bound for Manila, Cacdac added as he thanked the UAE government and Emirates for facilitating the return of the stranded Filipinos due to regional tension.
Qatar PM rejects Iranian claims of targeting solely American interests
The Qatar Foreign Minister rejected Iran’s claims that they solely targeted US interests in the country, in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, received a phone call from Dr Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran today.
During the call, the Iranian Foreign Minister said that the Iranian missile attacks were directed at American interests and did not target Qatar.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman firmly rejected these claims, affirming that the facts on the ground clearly show that the strikes hit civilian and residential areas in Qatar, including the vicinity of Hamad International Airport, vital infrastructure and industrial zones that include liquefied natural gas production facilities. He stressed that this constitutes a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of Qatar and the principles of international law.
He pointed out that the attacks were not limited to missiles alone, but have continued through drones, in addition to aircraft that breached Qatari airspace and were intercepted by the Qatari Armed Forces.
He said that such actions reflect an escalatory approach by the Iranian side and do not indicate any genuine desire for de-escalation or resolution. Rather, they seek to harm neighboring countries and drag them into a war that is not theirs.
UAE attends emergency meeting with GCC officials
The UAE has participated in an emergency meeting with officials from the GCC, aimed at raising preparedness levels and strengthening existing security measures and coordination among teams.
Portuguese PM says US allowed to use airbase
The use of the Lajes airbase in the Azores islands by the US is being done “in scrupulous compliance” with law and agreements, Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro told the parliament on Wednesday.
He added that the authorisation for US aircraft to use the base was granted for defensive purposes, based on necessity and against military targets.
7:21 PM, Mar 04, 2026
US official says number of Iranian missiles down
The number of ballistic missiles fired by Iran has decreased 86 per cent from the first day of the conflict, while drones launched by Tehran’s forces are also down, General Dan Caine, the top US military officer, said on Wednesday, as reported by AFP.
“Iran’s theater ballistic missile shots fired are down 86 per cent from the first day of fighting, with a 23 per cent decrease just in the last 24 hours,” Caine told a news conference at the Pentagon.
“Their one-way attack drone shots are down 73 per cent from the opening days,” he said
Kurdish forces increase security along Iran border
Iraq’s national security advisor said on Wednesday that Kurdish security forces have bolstered security along the Iranian border to prevent any infiltration or attacks on Iran from Iraq.
Qassem al-Araji told Iranian official Ali Bagheri during a phone call that Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has ordered that no group may “infiltrate into Iran and carry out terrorist acts from Iraqi territory”.
Araji said that Iraqi Kurdish authorities have sent “security reinforcements to the border strip to fully tighten control over” it from the direction of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region.
He also said that Sudani ordered strict adherence to the security agreement between the two countries which they signed in 2023 to protect their common borders.
