ABU DHABI — The UAE Ministry of Defense has confirmed that the country was targeted by a “blatant attack” involving Iranian ballistic missiles. While UAE air defense systems successfully neutralized the majority of the threats, falling shrapnel in a residential area of Abu Dhabi resulted in one civilian fatality and minor material damage.

Tactical Interception and Impact

The explosions heard near Zayed International Airport (formerly Abu Dhabi International) and across the capital were the result of the UAE’s high-efficiency air defense batteries engaging incoming projectiles.

• Civilian Casualty: Authorities confirmed that an Asian national was killed due to falling missile debris.

• Infrastructure Safety: Despite the proximity of the blasts to the airport, the Ministry of Defense emphasized that national institutions and facilities remain secure.

• Airspace Closure: In response to the “perilous” developments, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait temporarily closed their airspaces, leading to widespread flight cancellations and diversions for major carriers like Etihad and Emirates.

Part of “Operation True Promise 4”

The strike on the UAE was not an isolated event. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) announced the launch of “Operation True Promise 4,” a retaliatory campaign following “major combat operations” initiated by U.S. and Israeli forces against Iranian military sites earlier in the day.

The IRGC claimed to have simultaneously targeted:

• U.S. Fifth Fleet Headquarters in Bahrain.

• Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar (the largest U.S. military installation in the region).

• U.S. Army Central bases in Kuwait.

The UAE’s Response ⚖️

The UAE has condemned the attack as a flagrant violation of its national sovereignty and international law. In an official statement via the state news agency WAM, the government affirmed its “categorical rejection” of targeting civilian objects and stated that the UAE reserves the full right to respond to this cowardly escalation.

“The safety of our citizens and residents is a top priority that cannot be compromised,” the Ministry of Defense stated. “We are fully prepared to deal with any threats to our security.”

International Reaction and Global Impact

As the conflict intensifies, world leaders have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The European Union has already begun withdrawing non-essential personnel from the region, describing the current situation as the most “perilous” in decades. Global oil prices and aviation routes are expected to see significant volatility as the “major combat operations” in Iran continue.