Strikes target civilian, energy sites despite Tehran's apology
Iran prepares to unveil new leader as Gulf states fend off fresh drone assaults
By CUI HAIPEI in Dubai, UAE and JAN YUMUL in Hong Kong | China Daily Global | Updated: 2026-03-09 09:18
However, Gulf governments fended off fresh Iranian strikes on Sunday despite Tehran's pledge to stop attacking its neighbors.
Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, condemned the "nefarious Iranian attack that targeted infrastructure in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Kuwait".
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense said on Sunday that its air defenses neutralized a fresh wave of drone attacks.
In the latest developments on travel, Oman Air announced it was canceling flights to and from Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen, Baghdad and Khasab from March 9 to 15, citing "continued closure of the airspace in the region".
In Israel, the first passengers are leaving the country after the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv partially reopened for outbound flights.
On Saturday, two Air China flights departed from Dubai International Airport, carrying 741 Chinese passengers to Beijing. Several other Chinese and foreign flights also helped stranded travelers leave the United Arab Emirates.
At noon, Zeng Jixin, the newly appointed Chinese ambassador to the UAE, went to the Dubai airport upon his arrival to see off Chinese nationals taking special flights back home. Ou Boqian, Chinese consul-general in Dubai, accompanied him.
The Chinese government attaches great importance to the safety and well-being of Chinese citizens overseas, Zeng said. Relevant departments and diplomatic missions have made all-out efforts to coordinate flights and provide necessary assistance.
An unidentified object was intercepted near the airport, prompting authorities to temporarily suspend flights as a precaution.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said his country is "in a time of war", in his first public remarks since the conflict escalated across the Gulf.
Speaking during a visit to those injured in recent strikes, he said the UAE is resilient and warned that the country has "thick skin and bitter flesh — we are no easy prey".
He said the government will protect all citizens and residents, calling them part of the nation's family.
