A new loud explosion was heard in Dubai on Saturday evening as Iran continued its missile and drone attacks on sites in the Persian Gulf region, according to AFP. The United Arab Emirates previously reported on “the threat of incoming missiles and drones from Iran.”
Israel and Iran continued to trade attacks on Saturday as the Middle East war entered its second week. Tehran issued a rare apology to neighboring countries, apparently to ease regional anger over Iranian strikes that hit civilian targets in the Persian Gulf.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologized to the Gulf countries and said that Tehran would stop attacking its Arab neighbors if no attacks on Tehran came from those countries.
He dismissed US President Donald Trump’s demand for the unconditional surrender of the Islamic Republic as a “dream”. In a video message released, Pezeshkian said: “The Interim Leadership Council approved yesterday that neighboring countries should no longer be targeted and missiles should not be launched unless an attack on Iran comes from those countries.”
But Trump called Iran’s apology a sign of capitulation. He also warned that Iran would be “hit very hard” and warned that the United States could expand its attacks to other areas and groups not previously identified as targets.
Missile and drone threats from Iran in the UAE
On Saturday evening, the UAE Ministry of Defense said that the UAE’s air defense systems are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran.
The ministry said the sounds heard in different parts of the country were caused by air defense systems intercepting ballistic missiles, while fighter jets attacked drones and dropped munitions in the air.
“UAE air defenses are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. The MOD claims the sounds heard are the result of air defense systems intercepting missiles and drones,” it said.
It comes after Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest airport for international travel, temporarily suspended and then partially resumed services after air defenses were intercepted in the area during attacks launched by Iran.
Meanwhile, in comments broadcast on Abu Dhabi TV, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the UAE is currently facing a time of war but remains stable and resilient. In his first public remarks since Iran launched missile attacks on Gulf countries amid ongoing airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, he warned that the UAE was not an easy target and would fight back.
“The UAE has thick skin and bitter flesh – we are not easy prey,” Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the ruler of Abu Dhabi, said while visiting those injured in the attacks. He added: “We will do our duty to our country, our people and our residents who are also part of our family.”
