Missile debris has fallen near the location of the Tongan Embassy in Abu Dhabi as Iran and the wider Gulf reeled from retaliatory strikes, while conflicting reports emerged over the fate of Iran’s Supreme Leader.
Israel’s prime minister says there are “growing signs” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is “gone” following US–Israel attacks that heavily damaged his compound, according to BBC‑cited briefings, even as Iranian officials insist the leader remains “safe and sound” and deny reports of his death.
Meanwhile, multiple explosions were reported across Abu Dhabi’s Corniche district — the location of the Tongan Embassy at Etihad Towers on Corniche Road — as missile interceptions sent shockwaves through the area.
Witnesses told Reuters that several rapid explosions caused windows to shake in homes near the Corniche following the incoming strikes.
The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed that missile debris fell across several parts of Abu Dhabi, reporting one civilian fatality caused by falling shrapnel in a residential area.
The attacks came as Iran targeted Gulf states hosting American military bases, including the Al Dhafra Air Base—located about 30 kilometres from the city centre—which was among Tehran’s stated objectives.
The Tongan Embassy has not yet updated the advisory it issued on Friday for Tongan residents and travellers in the region following the latest missile strikes.
Corniche Area Among Impact Zones
One witness interviewed by Reuters said she heard “five booms in rapid succession” that shook windows in a house near Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, confirming that the area around Etihad Towers experienced the shockwave from falling missile fragments or interception blasts.
The Corniche waterfront is a high‑density area home to foreign missions, luxury hotels and government buildings.
While there is no official confirmation that missile debris struck Etihad Towers directly, the confirmed proximity of explosions means the Tongan Embassy was within the affected impact zone.
Residents in both Abu Dhabi and neighbouring Dubai reported seeing missiles streaking across the sky, with air defence systems intercepting many of the threats.
Claims of Death
Reuters reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader — long seen as the architect of the nation’s anti‑US posture and regional military reach, while suppressing waves of domestic dissent — was killed in joint Israeli and US strikes, according to a senior Israeli official quoted by the news agency on Saturday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says there are “growing signs” that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, may have been killed in the US–Israel strikes, citing intelligence that his compound in Tehran suffered extensive damage, according to the BBC.
Satellite images earlier showed the Supreme Leader’s residence heavily hit, while Israel claims that “several senior figures” within the Iranian regime have already been eliminated during the operation.
Netanyahu concluded his remarks by urging Israelis to follow safety instructions from the Home Front Command, signalling that military operations against Iran are likely to continue “for as long as necessary.”
Regional Retaliation and Escalation
The Iranian missile launches followed massive US–Israel joint strikes on Iranian targets earlier in the day.
According to Emirati authorities, several waves of incoming Iranian missiles were intercepted over Abu Dhabi. Missile debris fell in areas including Saadiyat Island, Khalifa City, Bani Yas, Mohamed bin Zayed City and Al Falah, but the government also confirmed debris fell in other unspecified locations—one of which resulted in a fatality.
The UAE Defence Ministry described the Iranian attack as a “blatant violation of national sovereignty”, warning that the state reserves its full right to respond.
Authorities temporarily closed the UAE’s airspace, suspended flights at Dubai International Airport, and issued mobile alerts instructing residents to stay away from windows and move to safe areas.
What It Means for Tongans in the Region
As of publication, there are no reports of injuries involving Tongan citizens or embassy staff.
Given the proximity of the strikes to the Corniche district, Tongans living in Abu Dhabi—especially those near Etihad Towers—are urged to maintain extreme caution.
The Embassy has asked all Tongans in the UAE and across the Gulf to:
- Register with the mission immediately
- Avoid unnecessary travel
- Monitor official safety alerts
- Remain indoors during any further missile activity
