{
  "id": 1830923,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T23:26:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "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) accused Iran of launching two ballistic missiles at maritime traffic in the Gulf on Tuesday, a claim Tehran swiftly denied. According to the UAE's ministry, the first missile fell outside the country's territorial waters, while the second missile landed within its territorial waters. The ministry also confirmed that these projectiles were targeted at maritime navigation and subsequently fell into the sea.\n\nIn response to the allegation, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, vehemently rejected the UAE's claims, deeming them detrimental to regional trust and security efforts. However, Iran has threatened to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until a peace agreement with the United States is reached.\n\nFollowing the missile threat, the UAE imposed an immediate suspension of all trade and financial transactions with Iran, effective late Tuesday evening. The UAE's interior ministry had issued an earlier phone alert advising residents to seek safety in the nearest secure building in case of a missile threat. This alert was lifted shortly after, following the confirmation that no missiles had entered UAE territory.\n\nThe threat came as a result of escalating regional tensions. Earlier, the UAE had suspended all dealings with Iran until further notice. The missile alert was the first of its kind since a false alarm in June and another alert in July, both of which did not result in any missile landing within UAE territory. Prior to that, the last missile alert was issued in early May.\n\nIn the broader context of the Middle East conflict, which erupted on February 28, the UAE bore the brunt of Iran's aggression, with nearly 3,000 missiles and drones targeted at the country, more than any other region in the Middle East. Prior to a memorandum of understanding between the two nations, which ultimately collapsed in June, the UAE reported no missile attacks. Since then, other Gulf states have also reported similar incidents.",
  "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-1828313",
        "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."
}