UAE says it intercepted 19 missiles and drones launched from Iran

A fire at energy facilities in the UAE's Fujairah was the result of US military adventurism and Iran had no pre-planned operation to attack the site, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported, citing a military source.

The source said the incident resulted from "US military action aimed at creating a passage for the illegal transit of ships through restricted routes in the Strait of Hormuz."

The source added that US officials should end what he described as the use of force in diplomacy and stop military adventurism in the sensitive oil region.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned Iran’s missile and drone attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates on Monday.

“These attacks are unacceptable and constitute a clear violation of sovereignty and international law,” she said on X.

“We will keep working closely with our partners on de-escalation and diplomatic resolution, to bring an end to the Iranian regime’s brutal actions,” she added.

Iran’s escalation and targeting of civilians reflects “moral bankruptcy by a regime that has chosen aggression in dealing with its neighbors,” Anwar Gargash, UAE presidential advisor, said on X.

“The UAE’s firm and principled stance will not be intimidated by this escalation, nor will it allow it to shape the future of relations in the region,” Gargash said.

“Once again, Iran has misread the situation,” he added.

The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency cited a military source as warning that if the UAE becomes “a plaything of Israel” and takes any “unwise” action, Iran would target all Emirati interests and treat the country as “part of the Zionist regime.”

“No official threat has so far been announced by the Emiratis,” the military source told Tasnim. “But if the Emiratis become a plaything of Israel and make a wrong move, they will learn a lesson they will never forget.”

“If the UAE takes any unwise action, all its interests will become targets for Iran, and no part of Emirati facilities will be safe,” the source added.

“The UAE knows it is sitting in a very fragile glass house, and insecurity is absolute poison for it,” the source said. “If it wants to repeat the mistake of the 40-day war, we will completely abandon restraint and treat this Zionist nest as part of the Zionist regime.”

The United Nations is still trying to understand US statements that the Strait of Hormuz is open, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday.

“There’s not much clarity at this point, but what we do not want to see is a return to outright kinetic activity in this area,” Dujarric told UN reporters.

Reports of an exchange of fire in the strait and the United Arab Emirates intercepting Iranian missiles were concerning, he said.

“We need to see a return of what has been centuries of practice of common law, which is freedom of navigation in these waters,” Dujarric said.