UAE Air Force Intercepts Iranian Drone Over Territorial Waters Amid Renewed US-Iran Fighting

DUBAI — The United Arab Emirates’ air force intercepted an Iranian drone over its territorial waters on Monday, the Defense Ministry said, in an incident that follows the first significant exchange of fire between the United States and Iran in a month.
In a brief statement, the ministry said it had “dealt with” an Iranian drone detected approaching from Iran over UAE waters. There were no immediate claims of responsibility from Tehran and no reports of damage or casualties.
The episode occurred after U.S. forces struck Iranian rocket launchers on an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, ending a lull in the conflict that has continued for more than six months. Iran responded by launching missiles at U.S. sites in Jordan; those missiles were intercepted.
The UAE Defense Ministry later issued a second statement denying Iranian media reports that Al Minhad Air Base in Dubai had been targeted by Iranian missiles.
The developments mark a renewed escalation in a war that has already disrupted regional security and global energy routes through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.