Iranian drone strike close to Dubai airport causes gas tank to burst into flames as Israel launches floor operation in Lebanon: Live updates

Dubai authorities say flights are gradually resuming after a ‘drone-related incident’ sparked a fuel tank fire near the airport earlier today.

‘Flights to and from DXB are gradually resuming to selected destinations, following the temporary suspension implemented as a precautionary measure,’ Dubai Airports said in a statement on X.

The latest incident near what is usually the world’s busiest airport for international travel affected a fuel tank, the Dubai media office said, later adding that authorities had contained a fire that broke out and reporting no injuries.

The UAE airline Emirates said it expected to operate a ‘limited schedule’ after 10:00 am Dubai time (0600 GMT) and that some flights had been cancelled.

It had earlier told passengers not to come to the airport and said it was working with authorities ‘to assess the situation and support the safe resumption of operations when possible’.

Dubai International Airport was temporarily closed this morning after Iranian drones blew up a fuel tank nearby.

No injuries were reported and the fire was brought under control by Dubai Civil Defence teams.

There have been 95 flight cancellations today at the airport, with a further 75 delayed following the strikes, according to Flight Aware. The airport is one of the busiest in the world.

Airport bosses have urged travellers to use their official support channels in the wake of the disruptions.

President Trump said it would be ‘very bad for the future of NATO’ if allies did not help him secure the Strait of Hormuz – a critical trade route for global oil shipping off Iran.

When asked what help he wanted, Mr Trump replied, ‘whatever it takes’ adding that the US needed minesweepers from Europe, which owns many more than the US Navy. The Strait has been laden with mines by Iran to close off the Strait as part of an economic attack designed to cripple US war efforts.

Mr Trump added that he expected China to also chip in and help as it too is reliant on the oil from the Strait, suggesting he could delay the upcoming summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping if the nation does not agree to assist.

The president is said he is in talks with ‘about seven countries’, asking for support in ‘policing’ the Strait, adding he ‘will remember’ if they refuse.

The Strait of Hormuz is still closed this morning and the price of oil today is still over $100 a barrel and fluctuating.

Anna McDonald of Aubrey Capital Management told the Today Programme this morning that the oil price is not ‘steady’ but has not ‘been ‘swinging around as much as it has been recently.’

This has meant markets now open in the far east are now ‘actually pretty stable.’