US and Israeli Attack on Iran Triggers Brutal Retaliation in Dubai and Bahrain

The rapid escalation of conflict in the Middle East has entered a phase of direct military confrontation between major powers. Following a series of strikes by Israeli and US air forces on military installations in Iran, Tehran launched a large-scale retaliatory operation. The targets of Iranian missiles and loitering munitions included not only US military bases in the region but also civilian infrastructure in Persian Gulf states. The most dramatic reports are coming from Dubai, where missiles hit the luxury Fairmont Hotel on the artificial Palm Jumeirah island, causing panic among thousands of tourists present there. Media reports at least four people injured in this area, and social media is circulating footage of burning skyscrapers and explosions lighting up the sky over the emirates. These events have caused immediate paralysis of global logistics. Iran announced a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which immediately sent oil prices soaring on world markets. Airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, among the world's most important transit hubs, have suspended all operations, leaving thousands of passengers in uncertainty. Among those trapped in Dubai is Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, who was there with his family, prompting Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to convene an emergency government summit at Palazzo Chigi. The Italian Foreign Ministry is preparing for a mass evacuation of over 58,000 citizens in the Gulf region, fearing a further expansion of hostilities. The Strait of Hormuz has been a geopolitical flashpoint for decades; during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, the so-called Tanker War took place here, threatening to collapse the global economy. The chaos is deepened by unconfirmed reports of the possible death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, which could mean a complete shift in the power structure in Tehran. Simultaneously, China points to an agreement between Iran and Venezuela, suggesting a global dimension to an anti-Western coalition. Europe, represented by Ursula von der Leyen, declared full support for the United Arab Emirates, but concern is growing on the continent about the reach of Iran's arsenal. Experts indicate that Soumar-type missiles, capable of traveling 3,000 kilometers, could theoretically reach targets in Southern Europe, including Italy. The situation remains extremely fluid, and tomorrow's OPEC+ summit is set to consider a drastic increase in production to prevent a catastrophic fuel crisis. „La situazione è senza precedenti, voli cancellati, attendiamo istruzioni di sicurezza” (The situation is unprecedented, flights canceled, we await security instructions) — Guido Crosetto