Iran Says It Struck UAE Base; UAE Reports Drone Engagement

Overview

Iran's army said it attacked the United Arab Emirates' Al Minhad Air Base with drones early on Monday, according to a statement reported by Iranian state TV. The army said the attack targeted locations where S. forces and helicopters were stationed at the base, and that it was in response to the killing of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and Iranian civilians on Larak Island.

The UAE, for its part, said its air force engaged a drone over its territorial waters that had come from Iran, the defence ministry said in a statement. The ministry did not provide further details on the drone, including whether it was shot down or its intended target. The UAE also denied reports that Al Minhad Air Base had been targeted by missiles, saying in a defence ministry statement that the reports were false.

The UAE foreign ministry strongly condemned the Iranian drone attack, calling it "a dangerous escalation that represents a flagrant violation of the state's sovereignty, security and stability." The defence ministry said the armed forces remained on a high state of readiness to respond to any threats and safeguard the UAE's sovereignty, security and stability.

Divergent Accounts

The Iranian statement, as reported by state TV and relayed by The Straits Times and the Jerusalem Post, said the attack was carried out with drones. The UAE, however, said it engaged a drone in its territorial waters, and clarified that no missile strike had occurred. The UAE did not comment directly on Iran's claim that Al Minhad Air Base was attacked.

Context and Reaction

The attack was described by Iran as a response to the killing of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and Iranian civilians on Larak Island. No further details were provided by Iranian state media about the timing or specific targets beyond the base. The UAE's statement did not mention any casualties or damage.

The UAE foreign ministry's condemnation was reported by Malayala Manorama, which also noted that the UAE reserved its full right to respond and called for an immediate halt to the attacks, according to the defence ministry statement. The defence ministry affirmed the armed forces' high readiness.

As of Monday, there was no independent confirmation of the attack or its effects. The situation remains developing, with authorities on both sides providing limited information.