THE US consulate in Dubai has been struck by a drone, sparking a fire and sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky above the city.
Videos shared on social media showed towering clouds rising from the area.
Streets around the site were cordoned off as plainclothes officers cleared the area and moved people on.
The Dubai Media Office confirmed that no one was injured and that the blaze has since been extinguished.
In a statement, authorities said “the competent authorities in Dubai succeeded in extinguishing a limited fire in the vicinity of the U.S. Consulate in Dubai resulting from a drone targeting operation”.
They also stressed that “the incident did not result in any injuries.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the drone struck a car park next to the main consulate building.
“As I came in, I also saw the media reports about Dubai’s consulate,” he told reporters.
“The last update I had was that a drone unfortunately struck a parking lot adjacent to the Chancery building, and then set off a fire in that place.
“All personnel are accounted for. As you’re aware, we began drawing down personnel from our diplomatic facilities in advance of this.
This is not the first embassy to be targeting as part of Iran‘s campaign of retaliation.
Earlier, two suspected Iranian drones hit the heart of Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter.
In the immediate aftermath, a small fire was seen coming from the US Embassy.
The US Embassy in Kuwait City was also struck by drones on Monday.
Trump vowed to take revenge “soon” for these attacks – but remained coy about what form that will take.
However, this became clearer when joint US and Israeli strikes reduced the building where Iran was choosing its new supreme leader to rubble.
Catch up on the latest…
The assault flattened the Assembly of Experts complex where leading officials had gathered to crown a successor to Ayatollah Khamenei.
Sources said the leadership summit was wiped out in seconds, derailing Tehran’s desperate bid to install a new Ayatollah as war rages into its fourth day.
The US president declared Iran’s reeling leadership was “gone” as airstrikes keep rocking the Middle East.
However, it is understood that Ali Khamenei’s second-oldest son, Mojtaba, has been selected to replace his late father.
US officials confirmed on Monday their forces have sunk 11 Iranian warships & hit 1,250 targets already inside the country.
Despite Washington‘s successful strikes – which have wiped out 49 senior officials including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and much of his top cabinet – Iran is continuing to fire back.
Explosions have rocked the Middle East as Tehran unleashes “revenge” fire – with blasts reported in Dubai, Doha, Saudi Arabia, and a British RAF base in Cyprus.
