The United Arab Emirates’ air defense systems intercepted six ballistic missiles, seven cruise missiles and 39 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Iran, the UAE Defense Ministry said on Thursday.
Since the start of what it described as blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defenses have engaged a total of 268 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,514 UAVs, the ministry added.
The attacks have caused six fatalities, including Emirati, Pakistani, Nepali, and Bangladeshi nationals, and 131 injuries ranging from minor to moderate, affecting residents from the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, and Indonesia.
The ministry reaffirmed that it is fully prepared to counter any threats and will “firmly confront any attempts to undermine State security,” while safeguarding its sovereignty, security, and stability, as well as national interests and capabilities.
The announcement follows a United Nations Security Council resolution on Wednesday calling on Iran to halt its attacks on Gulf states. The resolution, passed by 13 votes with two abstentions, did not reference U.S. or Israeli strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran’s ambassador to denounce what he called a “blatant misuse” of the international body.
The UN resolution demands the immediate cessation of all attacks by Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan, and condemns any Iranian actions or threats that obstruct international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Gulf states have borne the brunt of Iran’s response following a U.S.-Israeli aerial campaign against Iran on February 28. Since the start of Iran’s attacks, over 20 people have been killed across the Gulf.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that the Islamic Republic “will be forced to respond” if neighboring countries allow their territory to be used for attacks against Iran.
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