UAE says Iran fired two ballistic missiles toward its territory, Tehran denies attack
The United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday that Iran fired two ballistic missiles toward its territory, in the latest spillover from the widening West Asia
The United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday that Iran fired two ballistic missiles toward its territory, in the latest spillover from the widening West Asia conflict. One missile fell outside UAE territorial waters and the second landed inside them, the UAE Defence Ministry said.
The allegation marked the first time in months that UAE air defences detected a barrage aimed at the country. The ministry posted the claim on X, saying the missiles were launched from Iran toward the UAE. No immediate details were given on damage or casualties.
Tehran rejects the accusation
Iran quickly denied it had launched missiles at the UAE. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei “categorically rejected the United Arab Emirates’ claim that Iran had launched a missile toward that country”, and said the allegation was harmful to regional trust and security efforts.
The exchange comes as tensions remain high across West Asia and Gulf states watch closely for any cross-border escalation. For the UAE, even a missile detected over or near its waters carries obvious risk. The country sits on key shipping lanes, and any further deterioration could deepen anxieties well beyond the Gulf.
Alert sent to residents
As the warning unfolded, the UAE’s Interior Ministry sent a phone alert telling people: “Due to the current situation, potential missile threats, immediately seek a safe place in the closest secure building.” The message underlined how quickly regional hostilities can trigger civilian precautions far from the front lines.
The incident also revived attention on the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage that matters to global energy flows and has long been vulnerable to disruption whenever Iran and its neighbours trade threats or fire. Tuesday’s claim and denial added another layer of uncertainty at a moment when even a single missile report can rattle markets, shipping routes and diplomatic back channels.
What happens next will depend on whether either side escalates the accusation or seeks to contain it. For now, the UAE says it detected the missiles. Iran says it did not fire them.
