WASHINGTON D.C Aug 19, 2026 — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone on Tuesday with UAE National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss regional security and coordinate efforts to hold Iran accountable for ongoing attacks, the State Department said.
The call came hours after the United Arab Emirates accused Iran of launching two ballistic missiles toward the country, prompting nationwide alerts and an indefinite suspension of all trade, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions with Tehran.
According to a State Department statement attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, Rubio and Sheikh Tahnoon discussed “a number of regional security issues, including Lebanon, as well as continued U.S.-UAE coordination to hold Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable for ongoing attacks.” Rubio also underscored the importance of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The UAE Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems detected the two ballistic missiles launched from Iran late Tuesday. One fell outside UAE territorial waters and the other within them; both landed in the sea with no reported casualties or damage. A follow-up assessment indicated the missiles were targeting maritime traffic.
“In light of regional escalations that undermine regional and international peace and security, all trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran have been halted until further notice,” UAE Foreign Ministry Strategic Communications Director Afra Al Hameli said in a statement. The ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to dialogue and regional cooperation while remaining on high alert.
Iran rejected the accusations. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei called the claims “baseless” and said they ran counter to the principle of good neighbourliness, potentially disrupting efforts to build trust and prevent further escalation in the region.
The incident marks the first reported ballistic missile launch toward the UAE since May and follows recent accusations by Abu Dhabi that Iran targeted vessels operated by the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in the Strait of Hormuz. The developments occur amid broader regional tensions stemming from the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran that began in February 2026.
The UAE has historically served as one of Iran’s key trading partners, with Dubai facilitating a significant portion of Iranian imports. The trade suspension is expected to increase economic pressure on Tehran at a time when it already faces extensive international sanctions.
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