Conflict & Security
UAE calls Iran drone attack dangerous escalation
The United Arab Emirates called an Iranian drone attack intercepted over its territorial waters a “dangerous escalation” on Monday and said it reserved the right to respond.
The UAE foreign ministry said on X that it “strongly condemned the hostile Iranian attack” involving a drone intercepted by UAE air defence systems. It said the country kept its “full and legitimate right to respond”.
The UAE defence ministry said it dealt with a drone coming from Iran over its waters. It denied that a base housing US personnel had been targeted with missiles.
Iran earlier said it had targeted Al Minhad Air Base with “dozens of attack drones”. Iranian state television reported that Iran targeted areas where US helicopters and personnel are stationed at the base.
The UAE said the incident was the first Iranian attack to target UAE territory since May, though it has reported attacks targeting its vessels this month.
The Iranian army said its strikes were retaliation for a US attack on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command had earlier said US forces struck Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island.
Update
The UAE described the incident as the first Iranian attack targeting UAE territory since May.
The UAE said it had reported attacks targeting its vessels earlier in the month.
The source described the incident as coming after weeks of relative calm.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 09:53:44 UTC.
Update
The UAE foreign ministry said air defence systems intercepted a drone over UAE territorial waters.
The UAE foreign ministry said the UAE reserved the "full and legitimate right to respond".
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 09:21:19 UTC.
Update
The UAE called the Iran drone attack a “dangerous escalation”.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 09:04:00 UTC.
Update
The UAE defence ministry said media reports of a missile attack on Al Minhad Air Base were baseless.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 07:00:21 UTC.
Update
The UAE denied claims that Iran targeted a base housing US forces.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 06:51:38 UTC.
Update
The UAE Ministry of Defence said the UAE Air Force responded to a UAV detected over the country's territorial waters and approaching from Iran.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 August 2026 at 06:34:24 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
Iran said it targeted Al Minhad Air Base, while the UAE denied that the base had been targeted with missiles and said it dealt with a drone over its waters.
No casualty or damage figures were supplied for the UAE incident.
Source
AFP news report published on .