US Embassy Urges 50,000 Americans in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Shelter in Place

(DUBAI, ABU DHABI) — US Embassy and Consulate in Abu Dhabi and Dubai instructed all American personnel to shelter in place and recommended all US citizens do the same until further notice after Iranian missile threats and interceptions over the UAE.

UAE authorities issued mobile alerts urging residents and visitors to take cover as explosions were reported in Abu Dhabi and Dubai amid interceptions. One person died from shrapnel in an Abu Dhabi residential area.

“Seek immediate shelter. away from windows, doors, open areas,” the UAE Ministry of Interior/NCEMA said in mobile alerts.

Reports of missile interceptions and blasts prompted an immediate safety message aimed at limiting exposure to shattered glass and debris, with officials urging people to stay indoors and await updates through official channels.

Iranian ballistic missiles targeted UAE areas Saturday, with defenses intercepting them and explosions reported in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the situation update said. Authorities described the response as under control, while warning the situation remained volatile.

US travelers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi were told to take the same immediate steps US personnel were ordered to follow, centered on staying inside, reducing movement, and keeping communications open.

Americans were advised to remain indoors in a secure location such as a hotel, residence, or the nearest safe building, while preparing essential supplies including food, water, medications, and phone chargers.

Visitors were also told to avoid windows, doors, and exterior walls, and to steer clear of demonstrations, large gatherings, and unnecessary travel, while monitoring local media and UAE emergency alerts for changes.

Enrolling in STEP, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, was also urged as a way to receive U.S. government alerts and help the US Mission reach citizens during fast-moving security situations. The enrollment site provided was step.state.gov.

Keeping phones charged and maintaining contact with family and friends formed part of the guidance, alongside following instructions from local authorities as conditions shift.

For tourists in high-rises, the safest shelter choices described in local-style guidance favored reinforced, interior, and below-ground spaces that reduce exposure to glass and fragments if blasts occur nearby.

Below-ground locations such as basements and underground parking areas were described as the best options when available, with guidance pointing people to the lowest level and away from vehicles.

Dubai Metro stations were also listed among the strongest shelter options in the guidance, reflecting their reinforced design and underground features in many locations.

Where below-ground shelter is not accessible, interior rooms without windows such as bathrooms or closets were described as better choices than living rooms or bedrooms facing the street.

Concrete stairwells in high-rise buildings were also listed as safer than exterior-facing corridors or rooms with large windows, because they place more concrete between people and outside hazards.

Warnings focused on keeping away from windows and exterior-facing rooms, where shattering glass can cause injuries even when the blast occurs at a distance.

People who hear sirens or explosions were advised to move quickly to the nearest indoor shelter rather than waiting for more information, especially if official alerts arrive on phones.

Drivers were told to pull over and enter the nearest building if they can do so safely, rather than remaining in a vehicle exposed to flying debris.

Those caught outdoors were advised to get inside the closest safe structure immediately, using the nearest accessible entrance, and then move deeper into the building away from exterior walls.

Once in shelter, protective positioning advice centered on staying low and close to an interior wall, covering the head and neck, and minimizing time near doorways or glass.

Communications guidance emphasized monitoring official alert channels, including the NCEMA app and official accounts such as @UAEGov and @DubaiPoliceHQ, while avoiding unnecessary phone use that can drain batteries and overload networks.

After an all-clear is issued by authorities, the guidance pointed to checking for injuries, avoiding debris, and reporting emergencies through local services rather than attempting to travel through affected areas.

The practical sequence for many people, officials’ guidance suggested, starts with immediate movement into an interior or below-ground shelter, then monitoring alerts quietly while limiting exposure, and finally responding after the all-clear by checking safety and contacting emergency services if needed.

UAE authorities highlighted the NCEMA app as an official channel for emergency alerts, and tourists were urged to use it for verified updates rather than relying on forwarded messages.

Emergency services in the UAE can be reached by calling 999 for police, fire, and medical, the guidance said.

US Mission contact guidance pointed Americans toward official channels and STEP for UAE-specific contact lines, while warning against spreading unverified numbers during a fast-changing situation.

The US Mission guidance included an example number for Qatar, +974-4496-6000, but directed travelers to use official sources for UAE-specific lines.

Air travel disruption formed an immediate practical concern for tourists, with the situation update stating UAE airspace closed and Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports disrupted or closed with no commercial flights.

Travelers were advised to review departure plans as conditions allow, while prioritizing shelter and local instructions over attempting to reach airports during alerts.

Dubai Media Office said normal operations were resuming where safe, and it described 24/7 monitoring as authorities assessed conditions and issued updates.

Other governments also issued similar shelter messaging for their nationals, including the UK, Australia, and India, adding to the volume of warnings directed at visitors across the UAE.

Authorities framed the situation as controlled while acknowledging ongoing risk, and they urged residents and visitors to keep following official updates because instructions can change quickly as alerts and interceptions occur.

For Americans watching events from hotel rooms or apartments, the guidance remained consistent: shelter in place, keep away from windows, track official alerts through channels such as the NCEMA app, and use STEP to receive U.S. security messages as the US Embassy and consulate continue advising caution.