Tehran warns of imminent missile and drone attacks, forcing mass evacuations in major Gulf cities.
WEB DESK: Residents in key districts of Dubai and Doha have been urged to evacuate immediately following a chilling warning from Iran’s armed forces. Broadcast via state media on Monday, 16 March 2026, the announcement claims U.S. military personnel are operating from “hideouts” in civilian neighborhoods, marking these areas as potential targets for missile and drone strikes.
In Doha, the Iranian Media Operations Centre highlighted Lusail, Al Waab, and Ain Khaled as priority zones for evacuation. Local authorities struggled to manage the sudden exodus as residents rushed to safer areas. In Dubai, warnings focused on districts near Jebel Ali Port and major tech offices, with police cordons established around American firms including Microsoft and Google.
The threat signals a dramatic escalation in the three-week-old conflict, moving the frontline from military sites into urban and commercial hubs. Qatari air defenses intercepted multiple ballistic missiles just yesterday, reflecting Tehran’s strategy of “horizontal escalation” aimed at punishing U.S. allies in the region.
Emergency sirens blared across both capitals, with residents in Doha’s Musheireb and Al Gharafa districts receiving text alerts directing them to the nearest safe zones. Experts warn that the Gulf could face widespread disruption if tensions continue to spiral.
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