UAE Defence Intercepts 22 projectiles as Iranian missiles and drones rain on Gulf

Crime Diary, Europe-Asia, Middle East, North America, Politics

MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — March 19, 2026 — The United Arab Emirates’ Defence Ministry announced today that its air defence systems successfully intercepted and destroyed seven ballistic missiles and 15 armed drones launched from Iran. 

According to the ministry, the coordinated attack was detected early, and defence units acted swiftly to neutralise the incoming threats before they could reach populated areas or critical infrastructure. Officials described the operation as a demonstration of the UAE’s growing defence capability and readiness to respond to regional security challenges. 

The ministry emphasised that the interceptions were carried out in close coordination with allied monitoring systems, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation in countering evolving threats. While no casualties or damage were reported, authorities noted that the attempted strikes highlight ongoing tensions in the Gulf and the need for vigilance. 

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Earlier today, Qatar expelled Iranian diplomatic attaches following missile strikes on the Ras Laffan energy hub. The move came amid a wave of coordinated assaults across the Gulf, where Iranian projectiles and drones also targeted the UAE’s Habshan gas plants and Saudi Arabia’s refineries in Riyadh.

Regional authorities confirmed that defence systems intercepted several of the incoming threats, but the attacks underscored escalating tensions and the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure in the Gulf. The incidents have prompted heightened security alerts and renewed calls for international cooperation to safeguard the region’s strategic assets.