The UAE's air defences have intercepted hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones since Saturday. Photo: Wam
The UAE's air defences have intercepted hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones since Saturday. Photo: Wam
The UAE's air defences have intercepted hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones since Saturday. Photo: Wam
The UAE's air defences have intercepted hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones since Saturday. Photo: Wam

UAE closes embassy in Tehran and recalls ambassador over Iranian missile and drone attacks


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The UAE has closed its embassy in Tehran, withdrawn its ambassador and all members of its diplomatic mission.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision “reflects the UAE's firm and unwavering stance against any aggression that threatens its security and sovereignty”.

Iran is continuing to attack what it says are US targets in the UAE. Hundreds of missiles and drones have been shot down and intercepted. Three people in the UAE have died as a result of fallen debris.

On Monday, debris from intercepted drones damaged a warehouse in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD) and a commercial site in Mussaffah, while another intercepted drone caused damage in Al Hamra Village in Ras Al Khaimah. No injuries were reported.

Abu Dhabi authorities later contained a fire caused by a drone strike on a fuel tank terminal in Musaffah.

No injuries were reported and there was no impact on operations, Abu Dhabi Media Office said on Monday evening

The ministry has said: “These hostile attacks against civilian sites, including residential areas, airports, ports and service facilities, endangered innocent civilians in a serious and irresponsible escalation and constitute a flagrant violation of national sovereignty, as well as a clear breach of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.”

The Ministry of Defence said it intercepted nine ballistic missiles, six cruise missiles and 148 drones on Monday.

Since the start of the Iranian attack, 174 ballistic missiles have been detected, of which 161 were destroyed and 13 fell into the sea.

The ministry said 689 drones were detected and 645 were intercepted, while 44 fell within the country’s territory. Eight cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed. The attacks resulted in three fatalities and 68 minor injuries, alongside minor to moderate damage to a number of civilian facilities.

The three killed were from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. Among those injured were residents and citizens of the UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon and Afghanistan.

On Sunday, two Iranian drones struck Al Salam naval base in Abu Dhabi, igniting a fire in two containers, the Ministry of Defence said. It condemned the incident in the strongest terms, describing it as a “blatant act of aggression” and stressed that the UAE reserves its full and legitimate right to respond. No casualties were reported from the attack.

The Ministry of Defence said 20 ballistic missiles were destroyed on Sunday. Eight missiles were shot down over the sea, while two cruise missiles and 311 drones were also destroyed, and 21 drones caused damage after hitting civilian areas.

Earlier on Sunday, it was announced that a woman and her child were injured by falling debris from intercepted Iranian drones, as the UAE repelled attacks on Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The woman and child sustained minor injuries in the incident at Etihad Towers in the capital, after an Iranian drone was intercepted by air defence systems, authorities said. One of the buildings was damaged.

Two people were also injured in Dubai after drones were intercepted by the UAE’s air defences. Debris fell near two houses in the emirate, state news agency Wam reported, with the injured receiving prompt medical care.

Dubai authorities also confirmed that debris from an aerial interception caused a fire at one of the berths at Jebel Ali Port. Civil Defence teams responded immediately, and no injuries were reported, Dubai Media Office said.

Late on Saturday, Dubai Civil Defence teams brought a small fire under control on the facade of Burj Al Arab. No injuries were reported.

Day two of strikes

It follows a barrage of attacks on Saturday.

The Ministry of Defence announced that the UAE intercepted hundreds of missiles and drones launched by Iran. The ministry said in a post on X that “137 Iranian ballistic missiles were detected and launched towards the country, with 132 of them destroyed, while five fell into the sea”.

“Additionally, 209 Iranian drones were detected, 195 of which were intercepted, while 14 fell within the country's territories and waters, causing some collateral damage,” it added.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said the security situation in the country is under control and developments are being monitored around the clock. It also urged the public to stay away from sites where shrapnel or suspicious objects have fallen and to refrain from approaching or photographing them.

On Saturday morning, the US attacked Iran by air and sea with President Donald Trump promising to destroy the Iranian missile industry. Israel had earlier launched strikes against Tehran and other major cities. Iran is said to be preparing a “crushing” retaliation.

The UAE Ministry of Interior remains at “the highest level of readiness to take all necessary precautionary measures” after Mr Trump declared war on Iran.

“The Ministry of Interior affirmed that it is closely monitoring regional developments and remains at the highest level of readiness to take all necessary precautionary measures, in full co-ordination with relevant authorities,” a statement read.

Strikes condemned

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned “in the strongest terms” the waves of Iranian missiles launched towards the country. These acts represent a flagrant breach of the UAE's sovereignty and are a clear breach of international law, the ministry said.

It added that the UAE fully supports countries in the region affected by attacks. Any infringement on sovereignty constitutes a direct threat to the security and stability of the entire region, it said.

The UAE repeated its call for restraint and a focus on diplomatic solutions, while making clear that it retains its full and legitimate right to respond to these attacks. The UAE will not tolerate any compromise to its security or sovereignty under any circumstances, authorities added.

Updated: March 02, 2026, 5:30 PM