UAE Says Two Missiles Detected From Iran, Suspends Trade Ties

The United Arab Emirates’ defense ministry said Tuesday it detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran, marking the first such incident since a May 4 strike on the Fujairah port. Officials said the missiles were assessed to have targeted maritime traffic, with both falling into the sea before causing damage.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei rejected the UAE’s statement early Wednesday, calling it baseless.

UAE Suspends Trade With Iran

Following the missile threat, the UAE announced it was suspending all trade activities, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions with Iran until further notice, citing what it described as an escalation threatening regional and international security. The defense ministry said it remained fully prepared to confront any threats to the country’s stability.

Escalation Follows Failed Peace Talks

The incident comes just after a 60-day window for US-Iran peace talks expired Monday without a breakthrough, raising fears of renewed conflict in a dispute that has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz since February. Earlier Tuesday, UAE’s interior ministry issued a phone alert telling residents the situation was safe following an initial missile warning.

Part of a Broader Pattern of Tension

The UAE had recently accused Iran of attacking its state-owned ADNOC vessels while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has not claimed responsibility for those incidents, though its Revolutionary Guards have previously warned of action against vessels tied to Tehran’s adversaries.