UAE accuses Iran of launching 2 ballistic missiles targeting maritime traffic

Cairo: The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday said its air defence systems detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran towards the country, with both missiles falling into the sea.

The UAE Ministry of Defence said the first missile fell outside the country’s territorial waters, while the second fell within them. It later said its assessment indicated that the missiles were targeting maritime traffic.

The ministry said it remained on high alert and was prepared to respond to any threats to the UAE’s security, sovereignty and stability. The UAE Interior Ministry had earlier sent a phone alert to residents warning of a missile threat. It later said the situation was safe and urged people to resume normal activities.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei rejected the UAE’s statement early on Wednesday, describing it as “baseless.”

The missile launch comes as a 60-day window for US-Iran peace talks expired on Monday without a breakthrough, raising fears of renewed escalation in a conflict that has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz since February.

The UAE had accused Iran recently of attacking its state-owned ADNOC vessels while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has not claimed responsibility for the attacks on ADNOC vessels. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have previously ​threatened action against vessels transiting the strait if they are linked to Tehran’s adversaries ​or fail to comply with Iranian directives.

UAE condemns Israeli strikes in Syria
Separately, the UAE strongly condemned Israeli raids on the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in Syria’s Idlib Governorate. In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attacks constituted a violation of international law and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Syria and Israel.

The UAE reaffirmed its support for Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability, and expressed solidarity with the Syrian people.

It also called on the international community to take immediate action to halt repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory and prevent further escalation that could threaten regional and international peace and security. The UAE said it would continue to support efforts aimed at achieving security, peace, peaceful coexistence and development in Syria.