Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543612
Iran's retaliatory strikes have brought about an unpredicta- ble and tense situation for Mal- tese nationals living in the Gulf states. After Israel and the United States attacked Iran, millions of residents in the Gulf found their countries targeted by Ira- nian missiles and drones. US embassies, energy facili- ties, British and American mil- itary bases were among the tar- gets struck by Iranian attacks in the United Arab Emirates, Qa- tar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Many more projectiles were intercepted mid-air by de- fence systems. Holiday resorts in Dubai and Abu Dhabi suddenly turned in- to war zones, leaving residents and tourists stunned. "Our windows started rattling after the missiles were inter- cepted and we could hear loud bangs," one Maltese national living in Abu Dhabi told Malt- aToday. Opting to stay anonymous after his employer warned em- ployees not to speak to newspa- pers, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) resident described the moment everyday life changed in Abu Dhabi. He described Saturday morn- ing as a normal day before hear- ing loud noises at around noon. "Everyone's mobile phones went off at the same time," he explained, noting that authori- ties had just warned the public to seek shelter. After rushing home, the Mal- tese national described hearing his home windows shaking as missiles were intercepted over- head, while debris fell on build- ings. Fortunately for the Abu Dhabi resident, there hasn't been any more significant de- velopments in the city since last weekend. WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT WEDNESDAY EDITION €1.00 WEDNESDAY • 4 MARCH 2026 • ISSUE 980 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY Iran strikes cause tension for Maltese in Gulf states EDITORIAL • PAGE 11 CONTINUES PAGE 6 Paola parish appeals against cafeteria refusal ANALYSIS | WAR, ENERGY AND THE ELECTION CLOCK PAGES 4-5 JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt POALA parish priest Marc André Camilleri has filed an appeal before the Environment and Planning Re- view Tribunal (EPRT) challenging the refusal of a proposal by the Paola parish to include a cafeteria within the Christ the King Basilica complex. The project envisages the conver- sion of two belfry towers into an interpretation centre spanning six levels, the addition of an observa- tion deck at roof level, and the con- struction of a small cafeteria and shop at ground floor level. In January the Planning Com- mission chaired by Elizabeth El- lul rejected the application citing concerns that the addition of the cafeteria would disrupt the historic building's architectural symmetry and visual amenity. CONTINUES PAGE 2 MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt A missile being launched towards Iran from a US military vessel. As the US and Israel continued bombing Iranian military and government installations, Iran retaliated by shooting missiles and drones towards other Gulf states, including the UAE where almost 1,500 Maltese residents live (Photo: US Central Command) THE IRAN DILEMMA: MALTATODAY TALKS TO MEP DANIEL ATTARD PAGE 3