Explosions have been reported across the Gulf nation in the early hours of Thursday morning

00:17, Thu, Mar 26, 2026 Updated: 00:17, Thu, Mar 26, 2026

Missiles fired from Iran

Missile fired from Iran (Image: Getty)

UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone attacks from Iran.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that booms and explosions being reported across the Gulf nation are being caused by Emirati air defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles and fighter jets intercepting drones and other aerial vehicles.

The fresh barrage of attacks comes hours after an Iranian national security expert said on state broadcaster IRIB that Iranian forces are "fully prepared" to invade the UAE and Bahrain "if America makes a mistake in the region", adding that troops have conducted "extensive drills" for such operations.

Donald Trump has put forward a 15-point proposal in a bid to end the war in the Middle East, but Iranian state media have reported that Iran has rejected the plan. However, the White House insisted today that the president remains engaged in "productive conversations" with Iran.

Ensure our latest news headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

This is a live blog. Stay tuned for further updates.

Iran has launched more than 2200 attacks against UAE

Iran has fired over 2,200 missiles and drones at the UAE since the war began, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates Lana Nusseibeh said on Wednesday (March 25).

Nusseibeh told Fox News that number is more than at Israel and the other Persian Gulf states combined as Iran sees the UAE's openness and prosperity as a threat.

“Over 60% of the attacks have been directed at the UAE. And that’s a fundamental question: why?” Ms Nusseibeh said.

“We did not ask for a war in our region. We did not start a war,” she said, adding that Iran chose to fire missiles instead of negotiating with Washington over its nuclear and missile programs.

“They have resources across three continents, but for their own people, there is inflation, their currency is in free fall, and they have spates of killing protesters. This is a ruthless regime, and it is right to hold it to account."

The latest news from around the world and more Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

UAE MoD confirms Abu Dhabi attack

The UAE's Defence Ministry has confirmed that explosions heard across the nation are thanks to Emirari fighter jets and interceptors defending against a fresh barrage of Iranian attacks.

UAE MoD said: "The Ministry of Defence confirms that the sounds heard in various parts of the country are the result of air defense systems intercepting ballistic missiles and fighter jets intercepting drones and other aerial vehicles."

\u062a\u062a\u0639\u0627\u0645\u0644 \u062d\u0627\u0644\u064a\u0627\u064b \u0627\u0644\u062f\u0641\u0627\u0639\u0627\u062a \u0627\u0644\u062c\u0648\u064a\u0629 \u0627\u0644\u0625\u0645\u0627\u0631\u0627\u062a\u064a\u0629 \u0645\u0639 \u0627\u0639\u062a\u062f\u0627\u0621\u0627\u062a \u0635\u0627\u0631\u0648\u062e\u064a\u0629 \u0648\u0637\u0627\u0626\u0631\u0627\u062a \u0645\u0633\u064a\u0631\u0629 \u0642\u0627\u062f\u0645\u0629 \u0645\u0646 \u0625\u064a\u0631\u0627\u0646 \u0648\u062a\u0624\u0643\u062f \u0648\u0632\u0627\u0631\u0629 \u0627\u0644\u062f\u0641\u0627\u0639 \u0623\u0646 \u0627\u0644\u0623\u0635\u0648\u0627\u062a \u0627\u0644\u0645\u0633\u0645\u0648\u0639\u0629 \u0641\u064a \u0645\u0646\u0627\u0637\u0642 \u0645\u062a\u0641\u0631\u0642\u0629 \u0645\u0646 \u0627\u0644\u062f\u0648\u0644\u0629 \u0647\u064a \u0646\u062a\u064a\u062c\u0629 \u0627\u0639\u062a\u0631\u0627\u0636 \u0643\u0644 \u0645\u0646 \u0645\u0646\u0638\u0648\u0645\u0627\u062a \u0627\u0644\u062f\u0641\u0627\u0639 \u0627\u0644\u062c\u0648\u064a \u0644\u0644\u0635\u0648\u0627\u0631\u064a\u062e \u0627\u0644\u0628\u0627\u0644\u0633\u062a\u064a\u0629\u060c \u0648\u0627\u0644\u0645\u0642\u0627\u062a\u0644\u0627\u062a \u0644\u0644\u0637\u0627\u0626\u0631\u0627\u062a \u0627\u0644\u0645\u0633\u064a\u0631\u0629 \u0648\u0627\u0644\u062c\u0648\u0627\u0644\u0629.

UAE air defences are\u2026 pic.twitter.com/9CvNxOcEpj

\u2014 \u0648\u0632\u0627\u0631\u0629 \u0627\u0644\u062f\u0641\u0627\u0639 |MOD UAE (@modgovae) March 25, 2026

Welcome to Iran war blog

Good morning, and welcome to our coverage of the Iran war this Thursday, March 26.It's just hit midnight GMT, which equates to 4am in Dubai.The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence has confirmed it is defending the Gulf nation from a bevy of Iran attacks in the wee hours of this morning. Stick with us for the latest updates.