Archive · 19 Aug 2026
UAE Reports Two Iranian Missiles Falling Into Sea
The United Arab Emirates said two ballistic missiles were launched from Iran.
Officials said the missiles appeared to be aimed at ships or other maritime traffic.
Both missiles fell into the sea instead of hitting land.
One landed inside the UAE’s territorial waters, and the other landed outside them.
People in Dubai received an alert warning about a missile threat.
The Interior Ministry later said the situation was safe.
Iran did not immediately respond or say that it launched the missiles.
The report came after UAE-linked ships were struck near the Strait of Hormuz.
It also came after talks between the United States and Iran ended without a breakthrough.
The UAE Defense Ministry said it detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran on Tuesday, August 18.
The ministry assessed that the missiles were targeting maritime traffic and said both fell into the sea.
One missile fell within UAE territorial waters, while the other fell outside them.
Residents received a missile-threat alert before the Interior Ministry said the situation was safe and urged normal activities.
Iran did not immediately comment or claim responsibility, amid attacks on UAE-linked vessels and failed U.S.-Iranian diplomatic efforts.
- Who
- The United Arab Emirates said the missiles were launched from Iran; Iran did not immediately comment or claim responsibility.
- What
- The UAE reported detecting two ballistic missiles that officials assessed were targeting maritime traffic and that fell into the sea.
- When
- Tuesday, August 18, after a 60-day period for U.S.-Iranian talks expired on Monday.
- Where
- Near the United Arab Emirates; one missile fell in UAE territorial waters and the other outside them.
- Why
- The reported launch occurred amid a wider conflict, attacks on UAE-linked vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, and stalled U.S.-Iranian diplomacy; the missiles’ specific motive was not confirmed.
UAE Account
Iranian Position
Responsibility for the missile launch
UAE Account
The UAE Defense Ministry said it detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran and said it was prepared to confront threats to the country’s security.
Iranian Position
Iran had not immediately commented on the report or claimed responsibility for the launch.
Missile target
UAE Account
The UAE Defense Ministry said its assessment indicated that the missiles were targeting maritime traffic; other reporting described them as fired toward the country.
Iranian Position
Iran did not provide a public explanation of the missiles’ intended target.
Related vessel attacks
UAE Account
The UAE accused Iran of attacking or targeting vessels belonging to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company while they transited the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Position
Iran had not claimed responsibility for those attacks, although its Revolutionary Guards had previously threatened action against vessels linked to Tehran’s adversaries or not following Iranian directives.
- Missiles detected
- Two ballistic missiles
- Reported launch source
- Iran, according to the UAE Defense Ministry
- Assessed target
- Maritime traffic, according to the UAE ministry’s assessment
- Impact locations
- Both missiles fell into the sea; one inside UAE territorial waters and one outside
- Public alert
- Residents in Dubai received a missile-threat alert
- Official response
- The UAE Interior Ministry later said the situation was safe and urged residents to resume normal activities
- Iranian response
- Iran had not commented or claimed responsibility at the time of reporting
