Israel-Iran war escalation disrupts Gulf cities as CNN anchor evacuates live in Abu Dhabi during missile sirens. US-Israel strikes and Iranian retaliation raise regional security concerns.
WATCH: CNN anchor evacuates live in Abu Dhabi amid Israel-Iran war tensions. Missile sirens follow US-Israel strikes on Iran and Iranian retaliation across the Gulf.
Israel-Iran War: The emergency caused CNN to interrupt its live broadcast from its Abu Dhabi studio because emergency sirens were activated during the ongoing coverage of rising tensions between Israel and Iran, which have extended throughout West Asia.
Veteran anchor Becky Anderson was delivering breaking news coverage when the loud, undulating sound of emergency sirens became audible inside the studio. Anderson delivered safety information to viewers while maintaining her composure to inform them that the team would follow safety protocols before leaving the studio.
The CNN maintained continuous broadcasting by moving to a graphic segment, which transferred its coverage to its London and Atlanta news bureaus.
CNN Host: With the alarms going off here suggesting we should seek immediate shelter. So we'll do that. Our breaking news coverage continues after this short break stay with us. pic.twitter.com/2YUdvVeI3U
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 28, 2026
The sirens were reportedly triggered after ballistic missiles launched by Iran were intercepted over the UAE. The missile launches were described as retaliation by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards following joint US-Israel strikes on Iranian targets.
The UAE air defense systems activated their Patriot and THAAD interceptors to defend the country. The reports indicated that all incoming threats were successfully neutralized, yet one interception resulted in debris, which caused minor damage, and one person died.
The United States and Israel conducted military operations that targeted multiple locations throughout Iran. The US military operation received the name Operation Epic Fury, while Israel named its military operation Operation Roaring Lion. The mission targeted both government buildings in Tehran and facilities that the US believed were used for nuclear activities.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched Operation True Promise 4, targeting Israeli positions and American military assets across West Asia, including facilities in Bahrain and Qatar.
The live evacuation of a CNN studio underscores how the Israel-Iran conflict is impacting not only military targets but also civilian and media spaces. With missile exchanges expanding beyond traditional battlegrounds, regional security remains on high alert as world leaders call for restraint and diplomatic solutions.
