{
  "id": 1828313,
  "title": "UAE accuses Iran of firing ballistic missiles at shipping",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/uae-accuses-iran-of-firing-ballistic-missiles-at-shipping-1828313",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T23:26:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/08/19/uae-accuses-iran-of-firing-ballistic-missiles-at-shipping"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nIran'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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nPrior 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.",
  "summary": "Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei denied the accusation, calling it harmful to regional trust and security efforts.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "UAE detects two missiles from Iran, halts trade and financial transactions: What residents need to know",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/uae-detects-two-missiles-from-iran-halts-trade-and-financial",
        "published": "2026-08-18T20:18:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "UAE cuts off trade with Iran until further notice",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/uae-cuts-off-trade-with-iran-until-further-notice",
        "published": "2026-08-18T20:30:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "UAE says Iran fired two missiles at it, both fell in the sea",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/uae-says-iran-fired-two-missiles-at-it-both-fell-in-the-sea",
        "published": "2026-08-18T20:43:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "UAE halts trade and financial transactions with Iran until further notice",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/uae-halts-trade-and-financial-transactions-with-iran-until-further",
        "published": "2026-08-18T21:09:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "UAE accuses Iran of firing ballistic missiles at shipping",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/uae-accuses-iran-of-firing-ballistic-missiles-at-shipping",
        "published": "2026-08-18T21:40:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Financial Times",
        "title": "UAE suspends trade with Iran after saying it fired missiles at Gulf state",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/uae-suspends-trade-with-iran-after-saying-it-fired-missiles-at-gulf",
        "published": "2026-08-18T21:43:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "UAE accuses Iran of targeting shipping with ballistic missiles",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/uae-accuses-iran-of-targeting-shipping-with-ballistic-missiles",
        "published": "2026-08-18T22:46:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "UAE accuses Iran of firing ballistic missiles at shipping",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/uae-accuses-iran-of-firing-ballistic-missiles-at-shipping-1830923",
        "published": "2026-08-18T23:26:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "UAE says Iran fired 2 missiles at country, as war drags on",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/uae-says-iran-fired-2-missiles-at-country-as-war-drags-on",
        "published": "2026-08-18T23:40:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}