UAE: Iran fired two ballistic missiles
The UAE Ministry of Defense announced that the missiles fell into the sea, one within territorial waters and the other outside them. Authorities had previously called on the population to take shelter.
The UAE Ministry of Defense announced that the missiles fell into the sea, one within territorial waters and the other outside them. Authorities had previously called on the population to take shelter.
The Ministry of Defense of the United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, that Iran had fired two ballistic missiles toward UAE territory. This is the first attack detected against the Emirates in several months, and it comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
According to the ministry's statement, both missiles fell into the sea. One landed within the country's territorial waters, while the other fell outside them. The ministry added that it remains ready "to face any threat and respond firmly."
Two hours before the announcement about the missiles, UAE authorities had called on the population to take shelter due to what they described as missile threats. In July 2026, a similar alert was recorded, but the attack did not reach Emirati territory. In June 2026, there was also a false alarm.
The incident comes against the backdrop of a broader conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, further elevating security risks in the Persian Gulf, a crucial corridor for global energy flows. A photo published by France Info shows ships off the eastern coast of the UAE, taken on July 12, 2026, attesting to ongoing maritime activity in the area.
The UAE has so far not directly participated in the conflict, but incidents like this show that the ballistic missile threat is becoming increasingly concrete for Gulf states as well.
