UAE accuses Iran of firing ballistic missiles at shipping

Dubai, UAE - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has accused Iran of launching two ballistic missiles towards maritime vessels in the Gulf, an assertion Iran has denied. According to the UAE's Ministry of Defense, the first missile fell outside the country's territorial waters, while the second missile fell within them. The Ministry further stated that these missiles were targeting maritime navigation and ultimately fell into the sea.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, rejected the UAE's claim, describing it as detrimental to regional trust and security efforts. However, Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route, until it reaches a peace agreement with the United States. In response to the escalating tensions, the UAE has suspended all trade and financial dealings with Iran until further notice.

The UAE issued a phone alert to residents of a potential missile threat, but the alert was subsequently lifted. This is the first such alert since a false alarm in June and another alert in July that did not result in an attack. The last missile warning was issued in early May.

Prior to recent escalations, the last missile warning came in early May. State-owned oil company ADNOC has been targeted by missiles and drones from Iran in recent weeks. During the onset of the Middle East war on February 28, the UAE bore the brunt of Iran's attacks, receiving nearly 3,000 missiles and drones – more than any other Gulf state. Following a memorandum of understanding between the two countries in June, which has since collapsed, the UAE reported no attacks until now.