The United Arab Emirates has ordered the closure of a major Iranian state-linked hospital in Dubai, in a dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions with Iran amid ongoing regional conflict.
The decision follows a series of attacks attributed to Tehran, after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran in late February. In response, Iran has reportedly carried out waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Gulf states, with the UAE said to have faced thousands of such assaults.
Authorities in Abu Dhabi have since taken swift measures, including recalling their ambassador to Iran and shutting down diplomatic operations, signaling a sharp deterioration in relations between the neighboring countries.
At the center of the latest development is the Iranian hospital in Dubai, operated by the Iranian Red Crescent Society. The facility, which employs over 700 staff and has served residents for decades, is now being shut as part of what officials describe as “targeted administrative measures.”
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A UAE official confirmed that institutions directly linked to the Iranian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are being closed for violating local regulations, adding that the process will be handled in a way that ensures continuity of essential services.
Staff members at the hospital said they were informed of the closure during an internal meeting and instructed to vacate the premises within days. Security personnel were reportedly deployed at the facility shortly after the announcement.
“We never expected it to happen so quickly,” one doctor said, describing scenes of heightened security upon arriving for work. Another staff member noted that the directive was tied to the ongoing attacks on the UAE.
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Patients receiving care at the hospital have been transferred to other medical facilities across Dubai, while the hospital’s online presence has been taken down.
The clampdown extends beyond the healthcare sector. Members of the Iranian community confirmed that at least four Iranian-linked schools in Dubai have also been shut. The Towheed Iranian School has reportedly ceased operations, with its signage removed from the premises.
Similarly, the Iranian Club in Dubai announced a suspension of its activities, citing “current circumstances.”
In a related development, UAE authorities disclosed the arrest of at least five individuals linked to Iran and Hezbollah, accused of attempting to infiltrate the country’s economy and threaten financial stability.
Despite the escalating crisis, Iran and the UAE share long-standing cultural and economic ties, with deep-rooted connections between their people across the Gulf. However, recent events have left many Iranian expatriates in the UAE facing uncertainty.
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“We came here to escape the situation back home,” a long-serving doctor said. “It is heartbreaking that our lives are affected like this.”
The situation continues to evolve, raising concerns about further diplomatic fallout and its impact on regional stability.
