The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense confirmed on Sunday that its air defenses had faced nearly 200 ballistic missiles and hundreds of Iranian drones in the initial volleys of the war with Iran.
Despite the interception of the majority of projectiles, however, the UAE was unable to prevent several drones from hitting civilian targets in the country.
الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية تعاملت حتى الآن مع 165 صاروخاًً باليستياً و2 صاروخ جوال و541 طائرة مسيرة إيرانية
— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) March 1, 2026
أعلنت وزارة الدفاع أن القوات الجوية والدفاع الجوي لدولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة تمكنت في صباح اليوم الثاني للهجوم الإيراني من تدمير 20 صاروخاً باليستياً وسقوط عدد 8… pic.twitter.com/o7u4g3E2nD
The UAE sits opposite Iran across the Strait of Hormuz, which Iranian forces have attempted to blockade since the start of the conflict. The immediate strategic value for the Iranians of striking the UAE is unclear.
Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.
