The United Arab Emirates reported a major drone and missile attack on its territory overnight, with the US consulate in Dubai sustaining damage after a fire, Euronews correspondent Jane Witherspoon reported from the scene. The UAE Air Defences intercepted three ballistic missiles and 121 drones out of 129 launched against the country early Wednesday, the UAE Defence Ministry confirmed.
The ministry said that since the start of the conflict with Iran, a total of 189 ballistic missiles have been fired at the UAE, 175 of which were successfully destroyed. Additionally, authorities detected 941 Iranian drones, intercepting 876, alongside eight cruise missiles that were neutralized but caused some collateral damage, resulting in three deaths among Pakistani, Nepalese, and Bangladeshi nationals.
The UAE Defence Ministry condemned the attacks as a “blatant act of aggression and a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law,” stating that the country reserves the right to respond to protect its territory, people, and national interests.
In a related security development, Qatar announced the arrest of two cells affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The operation, coordinated by Qatari intelligence services, captured ten suspects. Seven were reportedly tasked with espionage to collect intelligence on critical military and infrastructure targets, while three were trained in drone operations for sabotage missions. Authorities seized maps, coordinates of sensitive facilities, communication devices, and other technological equipment. The suspects admitted links to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and detailed their assigned missions.
The arrests in Qatar underscore regional concerns over Iranian covert operations targeting Gulf nations.
Meanwhile, Israel reportedly evacuated part of its diplomatic staff from the UAE following two foiled attempts on Israeli diplomats, the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed. A senior official told Channel 12 news that the attacks were part of a deliberate effort to target Israeli personnel, prompting the removal of non-essential staff for safety reasons.
With the conflict in the Middle East entering its fifth day, analysts warn that the combination of missile strikes, drone attacks, and espionage activities is heightening risks for both civilian and diplomatic assets across the Gulf. The UAE and Qatar have publicly condemned Iran’s actions, highlighting the need for robust defence measures and regional cooperation to safeguard critical infrastructure and foreign missions.
The attacks mark one of the most sustained waves of aerial threats the UAE has faced in recent years, emphasizing the escalating tensions and the increasing sophistication of Iran’s drone and missile capabilities. Security agencies across Europe and the wider Gulf region are closely monitoring developments as the situation unfolds.
