UAE air defense forces intercept 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles from Iran

Lead

The United Arab Emirates said its air defenses engaged a barrage of Iranian missiles and drones on Monday, May 4, 2026, while a separate drone strike sparked a fire at the Fujairah oil zone, injuring three Indian nationals. The attack came a day after the Gulf state was hit by a similar salvo, marking a significant escalation despite a ceasefire between the United States and Iran that has held since April 8.

Coverage comparison

The UAE’s Ministry of Defense said its forces intercepted 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four drones launched from Iran over the course of the day, according to reports from the ministry carried by The Hindu, TASS, and Al Jazeera. The Hindu reported that the Defense Ministry stated four cruise missiles were detected, three of which were successfully engaged over the country's territorial waters, with one falling into the sea.

The Fujairah Media Office confirmed that a fire broke out at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone after a drone attack originating from Iran, and that three Indian citizens were moderately injured and taken to hospital. Dawn and ABC Australia also reported the three injuries and the fire. Al Jazeera reported no immediate reports of casualties in initial coverage, but later accounts in the same outlet and others confirmed the three injuries.

The attack shattered a period of relative calm that had followed the ceasefire brokered by Pakistan between Washington and Tehran, which took effect on April 8. Al Jazeera noted that the UAE had accused Iran of launching “a barrage” of missiles and drones at the port of Fujairah, while Iran’s state television reported that military officials blamed the attacks on “US military’s adventurism.”

TASS reported that Iran, via the NourNews agency, blamed the fires at UAE oil facilities on the United States’ attempts to ensure passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran had not planned any attacks on oil facilities. The UAE foreign ministry strongly condemned what it called “renewed Iranian terrorist attacks on civilian facilities” and said Abu Dhabi reserves the right to retaliate.

Key claims

• The UAE’s Ministry of Defense said its air defenses intercepted 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four UAVs launched from Iran on May 4, according to the ministry’s statement on X, as reported by TASS and Al Jazeera.
• A drone attack originating from Iran sparked a fire at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone; three Indian citizens were moderately injured, according to the Fujairah Media Office, as reported by Dawn, ABC Australia, and The Hindu.
• The attack came a day after a salvo of 15 missiles hit the UAE, injuring at least three people and sparking a fire at a key oil facility in Fujairah, as reported by Al Jazeera.
• TASS reported that since the start of the conflict, Emirati air defense forces have intercepted 551 ballistic missiles, 29 cruise missiles, and 2,265 drones, citing the UAE Defense Ministry.
• Al Jazeera reported that Iranian authorities warned of stronger strikes against the UAE if the United States and Israel resume their attacks, citing statements from Iranian officials.
• TASS reported that Iran blamed the fires at UAE oil facilities on the United States’ attempts to ensure passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, via the NourNews agency.
• Deutsche Welle noted that the UAE has been a target of over 2,800 drone and missile strikes since the US and Israel began the war in Iran in late February, citing a statement by the UAE’s UN ambassador.

Perspectives

UAE

The UAE’s Ministry of Defense said its air defenses intercepted the missiles and drones, and the foreign ministry strongly condemned what it called “renewed Iranian terrorist attacks on civilian facilities,” warning that Abu Dhabi reserves the right to retaliate. The Fujairah Media Office confirmed the fire and injuries.

Iran

Iranian state television reported that military officials blamed the attacks on “US military’s adventurism.” According to TASS, Iran, via the NourNews agency, said it had not planned any attacks on oil facilities and blamed the fires on the United States’ attempts to facilitate illegal passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian authorities also warned of stronger strikes against the UAE if the US and Israel resume their attacks, as reported by Al Jazeera.