UAE denies reports of missile attack on Al Minhad air base

The United Arab Emirates’ Defence Ministry has denied media reports that a missile attack targeted Al Minhad Air Base south of Dubai,  the Defence Minstry state on X.

Tensions between Iran and the Gulf state have escalated amid renewed fighting between the United States and Iran.

The ministry did not provide further details in its statement, but UAE authorities said the country’s air defence systems remain operational and capable of responding to threats.

The denial follows reports that Iran targeted the Al Minhad base, where foreign military personnel are stationed. Iran’s army said it targeted areas at the base where US helicopters and personnel were located, according to Iranian state media.

“Earlier today, our air force targeted an Iranian aircraft after noticing it flying toward the UAE’s waters,” the Defence Ministry said in a separate statement carried by state media, adding that “measures were taken to deal with it.”  There were no immediate reports of damage.

The incidents have severely heightened tensions in the oil-rich Gulf region. Earlier this month, a cargo ship was hit in the Gulf off the coast of the UAE. The regional hostilities intensified after a US drone strike killed an Iranian general on Friday, which raised fresh questions about the future of Iran’s nuclear deal. US forces subsequently struck Iranian targets on Monday, following Iranian missile attacks directed at Jordan and the UAE.