ABU DHABI, UAE February 28, 2026 – The United Arab Emirates came under direct attack today when Iranian ballistic missiles targeted its territory, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced in an official statement.
According to the MoD, UAE air defence systems responded with “high efficiency,” successfully intercepting a number of incoming missiles. However, debris from the engagement fell in a residential area, causing material damage and tragically resulting in the death of one civilian of Asian nationality.
“The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced that the UAE today was subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles,” the statement read. Authorities confirmed the security situation remains stable, with all relevant entities monitoring developments around the clock.
The UAE strongly condemned the attack, describing it as “a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the safety of civilians and undermines stability.” The ministry emphasised that targeting civilian objects, facilities, and national institutions constitutes a “blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law.”
“The UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens and residents, and to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability,” the statement added.
The MoD affirmed the country’s full readiness and preparedness to confront any threats, stressing that the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors remains the top priority. The public was urged to rely solely on official sources for information and to refrain from spreading rumours or unverified reports.
This incident forms part of a rapidly escalating regional crisis. Earlier today, the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets, prompting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to declare a “first wave” of retaliatory missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. military facilities across the Gulf, including sites in the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar.
Multiple international outlets, including WAM (Emirates News Agency), Al Jazeera, CNN, and Reuters, have corroborated reports of explosions and interceptions in Abu Dhabi and other Gulf locations. No additional casualties have been reported in the UAE beyond the single civilian fatality.
The UAE Ministry of Defence’s official X account posted the full statement accompanied by its emblem, underscoring the government’s unified and resolute stance.
As tensions continue to rise, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, with concerns mounting over potential further escalation in the Middle East.
Life News Agency will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available from official channels.
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