DUBAI — A hotel on The Palm in Dubai caught fire on Saturday, with images circulating online appearing to show flames at the Fairmont Hotel in the Palm Jumeirah area.Dubai’s media office said emergency services responded to an “incident” in a building in the Palm Jumeirah area. No further details were immediately provided regarding the cause of the fire.The development came amid heightened regional tensions after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran early Saturday, describing them as “pre-emptive” actions against what they called threats posed by Tehran’s nuclear and missile programs.Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the strikes were carried out “to remove threats,” while witnesses in Tehran reported hearing explosions in multiple locations. Iranian authorities later reported retaliatory missile launches targeting Israel and other parts of the region.In the UAE, loud blasts were heard earlier in parts of Dubai, including near the Marina area. In Abu Dhabi, one person was reported killed after debris fell on a residential area.British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK was not involved in the strikes but confirmed that British aircraft in the region were “in the sky” as part of coordinated defensive operations to protect British interests and allies.In a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, Starmer condemned Iran’s retaliation and urged Tehran to seek a negotiated solution.Saturday’s events follow rising tensions in the region, with US-Iran talks over Tehran’s nuclear program ending on Thursday without agreement.Israel said its operation, dubbed “Operation Roaring Lion,” and the US campaign, referred to as “Operation Epic Fury,” aim to degrade what they describe as threats posed by Iran.Authorities in Dubai have not confirmed any link between the Palm Jumeirah fire and regional military developments. Further updates are expected as officials provide additional information.
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