UAE SAYS IRAN FIRED TWO BALLISTIC MISSILES AT COUNTRY

The United Arab Emirates defence ministry stated on Tuesday that Iran fired two ballistic missiles towards the country, marking the first known attack on the Gulf nation since May as the wider Middle East conflict continues. One missile fell outside UAE territorial waters, whilst the second fell within them, according to the ministry's account. Both projectiles fell into the sea without striking land targets. Residents in Dubai received a missile threat alert as the UAE's air defence systems responded to the incoming fire, with the interior ministry declaring the situation "safe" shortly afterwards.

The UAE's defence ministry assessed that the missiles were intended to target maritime traffic. The country's foreign ministry responded by halting all trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran until further notice, citing "regional escalations that undermine regional and international peace and security". The ministry stated the country remained on high alert and prepared to respond to any further threats. The attack represents a continuation of hostilities between Iran and the wider coalition of Gulf and Western states engaged in the Middle East conflict.

Iran denied responsibility for the attack. Esmail Baghaei, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, said on Telegram that all regional parties should refrain from making "baseless accusations" against the Islamic Republic. No Iranian official provided an alternative explanation for the missiles or their origin. The incident underscores the volatile state of regional security as military operations across the Middle East persist without resolution.