From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Israel partially evacuates UAE embassy staff after 2 attempted Iranian terror attacks — official
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleNava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.
Israel conducted a covert extraction of part of its embassy staff in the United Arab Emirates today after two Iranian terror plots targeting the diplomatic team were foiled in recent days, an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel, confirming Hebrew media reports.
Responding to a request for comment on the reports, the Foreign Ministry confirms the evacuation and states that “in light of concrete threats against Israeli missions in the UAE, and at the request of security authorities, non-essential staff were evacuated from the United Arab Emirates.”
“In both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, diplomatic teams remain in place to ensure the continued and uninterrupted handling of diplomatic and consular affairs,” the ministry adds.
The Israeli official who spoke to The Times of Israel confirms that the threats in question were Iranian terror plots.
A senior Israeli official told Channel 12 this evening that the two attacks were part of “a specific effort to hunt the Israeli diplomats” and “were already underway.”
Thousands of Israelis reportedly remain in the UAE, including tourists whose flights were canceled, Israeli residents, and Israelis holding foreign citizenship, all of whom are said to be seeking immediate assistance from Emirati and Israeli authorities to exit the country amid the heightened tensions with Iran.
The Foreign Ministry does not immediately respond to a request for comment on any steps being taken to assist with their evacuation.
The Times of Israel Community.