UAE News: ‘Do not seek to be drawn into any conflict…' says foreign min; Gulf nation downs 100+ drones, 4 killed

Since the start of the Iranian retaliatory attacks, following the start of the conflict after the US-Israel joint operation killed the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28, UAE air defences have detected a total of 238 ballistic missiles, intercepting 221, with 15 falling into the sea and 2 impacting the country.

A total of 1,422 Iranian UAVs have been detected, of which 1,342 were intercepted, and 80 impacted UAE soil, reported ANI

The Australian government has directed the departure of dependants of Australian officials posted to the UAE, due to the deteriorating security situation, nation's foreign minister Wong posted on X.

A fire broke out at a unit of the Bapco Energies refinery following an Iranian missile strike. The fire has been fully contained, Bahrain's National Communication Centre said. Read here

Thick, choking black smoke hung over Tehran on Sunday, residents said, after strikes on oil storage facilities had lit up the night sky with plumes of orange flame.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei claimed the large-scale attack marked a "dangerous new phase" of the conflict and amounted to a war crime. "By targeting fuel depots, the aggressors are releasing hazardous materials and toxic substances into the air, poisoning civilians, devastating the environment, and endangering lives on a massive scale," he wrote on X.

The UAE Defence Ministry, on Sunday, said that the death toll from Iranian attacks in the Gulf nation has risen to 4, reported Reuters.

UAE foreign ministry, in a statement, said it “does not seek to be drawn into any conflicts or escalation, but affirms full right to protect its sovereignty and national security,” reported Reuters.

Fresh blasts were heard in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on Sunday, witnesses told AFP, as Iran continued to press its attacks across the Gulf region.

Bahrain accused Iran of a drone attack damaging a desalination plant amid escalating Middle East conflict. Its Ministry of Interior said 'Iranian aggression' attacked civilian targets and caused ‘material damage’. Read here

According to AFP's report, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait all reported new attacks on Sunday, after loud explosions were heard in Dubai and Bahrain's Manama on Saturday

UAE Defence Ministry, in a statement issued on Sunday, said that the death toll in the nation due to attacks from Iran – has now risen to four, reported Reuters.

UAE said Iran has launched 16 ballistic missiles and over 117 drones in new barrages Sunday. The Gulf nation's defence ministry said it intercepted all 16 missiles, while a 17th fell into the sea, adding that it is ready to “firmly confront” the threats, reported AP

According to AFP's report, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait all reported new attacks on Sunday, after loud explosions were heard in Dubai and Bahrain's Manama on Saturday

Iran struck Gulf infrastructure on Sunday, hitting fuel tanks at Kuwait's international airport and damaging a desalination plant in Bahrain, reported AFP.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have issued a stern warning that they will persist in targeting any potential successor to Iran's next supreme leader, local media reported.

– Three Indonesian crew members are missing after the United Arab Emirates-flagged tugboat Musaffah 2 sank in the Strait of Hormuz, Jakarta's foreign ministry said in a statement issued on Friday.

– The boat experienced an explosion which lead to a fire, and it sank, reported AFP.

– The Musaffah had seven crew members from Indonesia, India and the Philippines, the ministry said, adding that four survived and three others, all Indonesians, are missing.

Israel renewed its assault on southern Lebanon early Sunday and Iran struck a desalination plant in Bahrain as the war entered its ninth day, reported AP

Iranian media reported that several explosions were heard near the central city of Yazd. The reports said the blasts occurred outside the city limits and did not immediately provide further details on the cause or possible damage.

A passenger, who arrived at IGI Airport from Dubai, says, "...I am pursuing under graduation in Dubai...I did not feel unsafe in Dubai...But it is good to be back home during these tough times..."

Israel’s military said its air force struck Iranian F-14 fighter jets at Isfahan airport during a broad wave of airstrikes on Saturday.

The Israeli military said the operation followed another strike two days earlier that it said destroyed 16 aircraft linked to the Quds Force at Tehran’s Mehrabad airport.

The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait's military say their air defence systems are intercepting missiles and drones launched from Iran on Sunday

Bahrain said, “As a result of the blatant Iranian aggression, three people were injured and material damage was inflicted on a university building in the Muharraq area after missile fragments fell.”

UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran, the government said. “MOD asserts that the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones,” it added.

Burning oil spilled into Tehran’s sewage system after Israeli airstrikes hit the Shahran fuel depot in the capital’s west, sending streams of fire along Koohsar Boulevard. The Iran International shared a video of the incident.

The United States and Israel have discussed sending special forces into Iran to seize its highly enriched uranium stockpiles at a later stage of the war, Axios reported citing four sources with knowledge of the discussions.

Norwegian police reported on Sunday an explosion at the US embassy in the capital Oslo, but said there were no casualties.

The explosion occurred around 1:00 am local time (0000 GMT), the Oslo police department said in a statement, adding they did not know the cause of the blast

The Embassy of India in Doha issued an advisory. It said:

“Indian Nationals who are currently stranded in Qatar as Tourists/Short Term Visitors (holding Hayya A1 visa) due to cancellation of flights out of Qatar between 28 February to 7 March 2026, are encouraged to fill in their details at the link provided herewith. Please note that this is only for the purpose of ascertaining the exact number and details of stranded Indian Nationals who are not residents of Qatar.”

Link has been restored:

https://indianembassyqatar.gov.in/hayya_visitors

The Indian Embassy in the UAE issued an advisory against unauthorised filming of incident sites or prohibited areas or inside the airport(s).

“A military exercise will take place today during the morning hours in the Golan Heights area. As part of the exercise, there will be noticeable active movement of security forces and vehicles in the area; there is no concern for a security incident,” the IDF said in a post on X.

White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said there may still be room for a diplomatic deal with what remains of Iran’s government but stressed that Washington is “not looking to settle”.

He said Iranian officials took a hard line in previous talks, insisting they had an “inalienable right to enrich” uranium.

"They bragged about having, 60% enriched fuel, enough for eleven bombs. They told me and Jared [Kushner], 'We're not gonna give you diplomatically what you couldn't take militarily'," Witkoff told reporters as he stood next to President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One.

"I think they're gonna need a change of attitude... we have a lot of negotiating leverage, maybe maximum, but we're not looking to settle. They'd like to settle. We're not looking to settle."

“Kuwaiti air defenses are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks. The General Staff of the Army notes that if explosion sounds are heard, they are the result of air defense systems intercepting the hostile attacks,” Kuwaity Armty said in a post on X.

“Everyone is requested to adhere to the security and safety instructions issued by the competent authorities,” the army added.

“IDF Strikes Key Commanders in the Quds Force's Lebanon Corps of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Beirut,” the Israeli Defence Forces said on X.

Full statement below:

"The IDF struck a short time ago in a targeted manner, key commanders in the Quds Force's Lebanon Corps of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who were operating in Beirut.

Commanders of the Quds Force's Lebanon Corps operated to advance terror plots against the State of Israel and its citizens in Lebanese territory, parallel to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' activities in Iran.

The Iranian terror regime operates systematically in the heart of civilian populations in Iran and Lebanon, cynically exploiting the residents and using them as human shields to advance terror objectives.

The Lebanon Corps serves as a liaison axis between the Hezbollah terror organization and the Iranian terror regime and constitutes a body supporting Hezbollah's empowerment and force buildup.

Prior to the strike, steps were taken to minimize the chance of harm to civilians, including the use of precision munitions and aerial observations.

The IDF will not allow the entrenchment of Iranian terror elements in Lebanese territory and will continue to eliminate in a targeted manner the commanders of the Iranian terror regime wherever they operate."

The Israeli military said on Saturday it struck several fuel storage complexes in Tehran which it said were used by Iran's military forces.

The IDF said Iran's military makes "direct and frequent use of these fuel tanks to operate military infrastructure."

Through them, it said, the Islamic Republic distributes fuel to various consumers, including military entities in Iran.

Saudi Arabia announces the thwarting of a drone targeting attempt directed at the diplomatic quarter in Riyadh, with no material damage or civilian injuries resulting from the downing of the drone.

Bahrain's Ministry of Interior: “The Iranian aggression targets one of the facilities near Salman Port, and the Civil Defense is carrying out its procedures to control the fire.”

King Khalid International Airport says, “We emphasize the necessity of direct communication with airlines to confirm the latest updates on your flights before heading to the airport.”

Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi has warned US President Donald Trump that if he seeks escalation, Iran’s armed forces are prepared, Al Jazeera reported.

Dubai Media Office: “Dubai's competent authorities dealt with an incident involving a star falling as a shrapnel onto a vehicle in the Al Barsha area, as a result of a successful aerial interception, and the incident resulted in the death of a resident of Pakistani nationality.”

Here are the key points from the Government of India advisory:

Indian nationals in the region are advised to adhere to local authority instructions and follow advisories issued by Indian Embassies or Consulates.

Following partial airspace openings, Indian and foreign airlines are operating flights, including non-scheduled ones, to help stranded Indians return home.

Evacuation statistics (March 1–7, 2026): More than 52,000 Indians have traveled safely from the Gulf region to India; 32,107 of them traveled on Indian carriers. Additional flights are planned in the coming days.

In countries where commercial flights are unavailable, Indian nationals are advised to contact the relevant Embassy/Consulate for nearest available flight options.

Dubai Media Office says: Authorities confirm that debris from an aerial interception fell onto a vehicle in the Al Barsha area, resulting in the death of a Pakistani driver.

Dubai authorities confirmed a minor incident in Dubai Marina. The incident was caused by debris from a successfully intercepted projectile.

The debris impacted the façade of a tower in the area. Officials said the situation has been fully contained.

No injuries were reported.

Authorities have assured that public safety remains under control following the incident.

The United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems are actively intercepting incoming missiles and drones launched by Iran, with explosions heard as defences engage the threats.

A loud explosion was heard in Dubai on Saturday evening, according to AFP, as Iran persisted with missile and drone strikes against locations across the Gulf region. The Emirates had earlier reported "incoming missile and drone threats from Iran".

“Pardon us if we did not meet expectations, but we are in a time of war. I promise you that we will fulfil our responsibility to defend you, our people and our families,” UAE President said after visiting injured in recent attacks, according to Khaleej Times.

Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in his first public remarks since the conflict with Iran escalated, said the United Arab Emirates was currently facing a time of war, according to Reuters.

He stressed that the country would remain resilient and strong, declaring that the UAE has “thick skin and bitter flesh” and would not be easy prey. The president also said the nation would continue fulfilling its duty to defend the country, safeguard its people, and protect residents, whom he described as part of the UAE’s extended family.

The UAE Ministry of Defence on Saturday evening said the United Arab Emirates’s air defence systems are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran.

The ministry stated that the sounds heard in different parts of the country were caused by air defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles, while fighter jets were engaging drones and loitering munitions in the air.

“UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. MOD asserts that the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones,” it said.

An official from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said the country will continue taking necessary steps to defend its territory and ensure the safety of everyone living there, while gradually working towards restoring normalcy, according to Reuters.