Stephanie Rice shares emotional plea from new home of Dubai following Iran drone strike

Australian Olympic swimmer Stephanie Rice has issued an emotional message after her new home of Dubai was hit by Iranian attacks in retaliation for US air strikes.

The 37-year-old, who moved to Dubai from Australia in November 2023, shared a post alongside a statement from the Australian embassy on Sunday evening (AEDT). 

"Please help me in praying for all my friends, loved ones and people in the UAE that they would be protected and feel a tangible sense of God peace in this scary situation," she wrote.

At least three people in the UAE have been killed in Iran's retaliatory strikes, while a further 58 have been injured.

One person was killed by falling debris after air defences intercepted Iranian missiles targeting sites in Abu Dhabi.

A drone strike at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi also killed one person.

9News reported a drone struck the ground in Dubai's upmarket Palm Jumeirah district on Sunday morning (AEDT), throwing off debris that damaged Fairmont Hotel and injured multiple people.

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It came as retaliatory action by Iran following the US and Israel's joint military operation against Iran this weekend.

Tourists across the popular holiday destination watched missiles be shot down in the sky above them.

Dubai international airport, the world's busiest, suffered "minor damage" in an apparent missile strike and many flights were cancelled as travel chaos reigned throughout the region.

Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Kuwait and the UAE closed their skies hours after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran.

Rice moved to Dubai in November 2023 after meeting pastor Mark Lassey through mutual friends.

The couple tied the knot on January 10, 2025, after Lassey proposed at Dubai's Atlantis Royal Hotel in September 2024.

Rice became a devout Christian after meeting Lassey and joined Kingdomcity Church in Dubai where Lassey, a father of three, works as Head Pastor.

Lassey also shared a post on Instagram, announcing that in-person services had been cancelled for the time being and will instead be run online.

"First and foremost we continue to pray safety, protection and supernatural peace over you and your families located in our region," he wrote.

"While we deeply value meeting together, in light of the ongoing situation and Government advice to stay indoors, we have cancelled our 10:00am and 12:00pm in-person services tomorrow, 1 March 2026.

"Your safety is important to us and we believe this is the most sensible decision at this time."

Lassey added: "Our Global family is praying fervently over all of us, our nation and this region so we are covered. Again, speaking joy over us – not just for us but those around us at this time. We look forward to being together online at 10:00am tomorrow morning.

"If you require any support or Prayer please reach out to your connect groups, to your leaders and any of the staff team if you need anything – particularly our family who are living on their own here."

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