Iran Launches Missiles and Drones at the UAE; Intercepts Reported Over Dubai

The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Defense said this evening (Monday) that Iran launched four cruise missiles toward Dubai in the early evening. According to the UAE, three missiles were intercepted and another fell into the sea. Later, another wave of strikes toward Dubai was reported. No hits were reported in the city or its surroundings. 

Shortly after 9:00 p.m., two additional barrages of missiles were reported launched toward Dubai. The missiles were intercepted and, according to reports, the interception was carried out by the "Iron Dome" system that Israel transferred to the United Arab Emirates. The local government announced that, in total 12 ballistic missiles, 3 cruise missiles, and 4 drones - were launched today by Iran toward UAE territory. Following the strikes, the government stated that "the United Arab Emirates reserves the right to respond to the Iranian attack".

In parallel, the government communications office of the Fujairah emirate in the UAE reported that a fire broke out in the Fujairah oil industry zone following an Iranian drone attack. Three civilians were injured, from light to moderate.  It was also reported that the U.S. base in Ajman, in the United Arab Emirates, was hit.

Before the Iranian strike, residents in the United Arab Emirates received cellphone alerts to stay near protected areas due to concern about a missile attack. Later, following an Iranian strike in Oman, the alert level there and in Bahrain was raised.

A ship that was hit off the coast of Dubai (Photo: per Section 27A)

The British maritime authority reported that it received a report of an incident 36 nautical miles north of Dubai. South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that boats of Iran's Revolutionary Guards attacked a South Korean ship in the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates reported that one of its cargo ships was severely damaged by an Iranian missile fired at it in the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Dubai.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a statement saying: "The Strait of Hormuz will not return to its previous state, and there are no negotiations on the nuclear issue". In addition, Iran's military confirmed that it attacked American destroyers. In the Iranian army's statement it was said: "American destroyers turned off their radars, and tried to approach the Strait of Hormuz. After the destroyers did not respond to the first warning that was conveyed to them, another warning was sent, clarifying that any attempt to enter the Strait of Hormuz would be considered a violation of the cease-fire and would be met with a response by naval forces".

"At this stage, and after further disregard by the destroyers, the Iranian Navy fired warning missiles near the destroyers to warn them against transiting the strait. The responsibility and consequences of such dangerous actions rest with the enemy".