Realtime UAE

UAE Authorities — Guidance for Residents

• Shelter in place — find a secure location within your residence or another safe building
• Keep a supply of food, water, medications and essential items
• Position yourself in interior spaces with minimal external walls or windows
• Stay away from areas where debris or suspicious objects have fallen — do not approach or photograph them
• Monitor official media channels for updates
• Keep phones charged and maintain communication with family
• Rely on official sources only — do not spread rumours or unverified reports
• Cooperate with authorities and follow their instructions
• Avoid unnecessary travel, especially near military installations
• Drone debris and fragments may fall in residential areas — if you hear an explosion or see falling debris, move indoors immediately. Do not approach, touch, or photograph debris. Report it to 999.
• Iran's IRGC has issued evacuation orders for specific Gulf energy facilities including the UAE's Al Hosn Gas Field, declaring them "direct and legitimate targets." If you live or work near energy infrastructure, review your evacuation route and have a go-bag ready.
• Do not film or share footage of missile strikes, drone interceptions, or military activity. The UAE has charged 21 people under cybercrime laws for filming and sharing strike footage. Penalties include a minimum 2-year prison sentence and AED 200,000 (~$54,000) fine. This applies to filming, sharing, reposting, and even commenting on such videos.

US Embassy — Shelter-in-Place Order

The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai have instructed all staff to shelter-in-place (take cover). All US citizens in the UAE are recommended to do the same until further notice.

Airport & Flight Status

UAE airspace was closed ~3 AM – 5:05 AM on March 17 due to incoming threats — the 5th disruption since the war began. Emirates operating to 110+ destinations on a limited schedule. Etihad confirmed through March 21. flydubai reduced schedule from T2/T3. Do not travel to the airport without a confirmed booking. Check status within 1 hour of departure.

Should You Leave?

This is a personal decision. Key factors:

• No ceasefire in sight. Both the US and Iran have rejected talks. The killing of three senior Iranian officials (Larijani, Soleimani, Khatib) is expected to trigger further escalation. A senior US intelligence official resigned over the war. Plan on the assumption this continues for weeks.
• Iran is now targeting Gulf energy infrastructure. The IRGC has named the UAE's Al Hosn Gas Field as a "direct and legitimate target." A drone hit the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone. The Shah gas field is shut. UAE airspace was fully closed on March 17 for the first time. The pattern has shifted from military targets to civilian infrastructure and energy assets.
• Do you have a confirmed ticket? Emirates at 110+ destinations, Etihad through March 21. But airspace was closed for ~2 hours on March 17 and can be grounded at short notice. Do not go to the airport without a confirmed booking.
• Driving to Oman remains an option — 4–5 hours via Hatta border to Muscat. Carry passport, UAE visa, Oman visa, vehicle docs, cash, water. Google Maps: Dubai → MCT

Strait of Hormuz

~90% drop in commercial shipping. Iran selectively granting passage: Pakistan, India, Turkey, China have transited. France and Italy in talks. No allied naval escort coalition — Japan, Australia, UK, Greece all refused. US dropped 5,000-lb deep penetrator munitions on Iranian coastal missile sites on March 17. Israel struck Iran's South Pars gas field, triggering the IRGC evacuation threats. Brent crude above $108/barrel. No civilian passenger ferry options. The viable exit via Oman is by air from Muscat, not by sea.

Embassy Advisories

• 🇬🇧 UK — Avoid all travel. FCDO
• 🇺🇸 US — Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Non-emergency staff departed. Embassy
• 🇨🇦 Canada — Avoid all travel. travel.gc.ca
• 🇮🇳 India — Repatriation ongoing. Toll-free: 800-46342. Embassy
• 🇩🇪 Germany — Travel warning. Register on Krisenvorsorgeliste
• 🇫🇷 France — Register on Fil d'Ariane
• 🇵🇰 Pakistan — 24/7 facilitation desks. Embassy
• 🇵🇭 Philippines — Alert Level 2. Hotline: 1348. DFA

Emergency Contacts