Iranian Drone Targets Dubai Skyscraper, Claims Attack on US Military

On the evening of March 7, an Iranian drone struck the high-rise residential building Marina 23 Tower in Dubai's popular tourist district. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the attack, stating its target was American military personnel.

Footage from the scene showed thick smoke billowing from the tower. It remains unclear whether this resulted from a direct hit or from falling debris after an attempted interception by UAE air defense systems.

Authorities in the emirate later confirmed that drone wreckage had damaged the Marina 23 skyscraper. In a statement on social media platform X, they said: "The authorities confirm that debris resulting from a successful interception caused a minor incident on the facade of a tower in the Dubai Marina area. The situation has been contained."

Separately, Dubai authorities reported that one person was killed on March 7 when debris from an "air interception" fell onto a car in the Al-Barsha area, resulting in the death of an Asian-origin driver.

According to the IRGC statement released on Saturday, March 7, Iranian forces also struck several American and Israeli targets as part of what it called a "strategic and multi-faceted operation." The statement claimed that military targets in Haifa, northern Israel, were hit with new solid-fuel "Kheibar Shekan" guided missiles. The IRGC Navy also reportedly struck facilities supporting US military forces at Salman Port.

Since February 28, Iran has been launching missiles and drones at Israel and Persian Gulf countries hosting US military installations in response to what it describes as attacks by American and Israeli forces. Previous Iranian strikes have damaged Dubai International Airport, caused a fire at the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel from falling intercepted drone debris, and sparked a blaze near the Fairmont Hotel on the prestigious Palm Jumeirah artificial island.