At around 12:53 p.m. on 28 February 2026, following the coordinated 2026 United States–Israeli strikes on Iran, the Islamic Republic of Iran launched a multiday series of missile and drone airstrikes on the United Arab Emirates. As of 10 May 2026, the UAE has intercepted and destroyed 551 ballistic missiles, 2,265 drone attacks and 29 cruise missiles fired from Iran by using an integrated air defense system that includes Skynight, THAAD, Patriot, KM-SAM, Barak-8, and Pantsir-S1 missile defence systems. The attacks have killed a total of 15 people, including two military personnel, one civilian contractor (in Bahrain), and injured 245 people (5 of which in Bahrain).
According to the Wall Street Journal, the UAE responded with strikes on Iranian infrastructure using warplanes and drones, which included the Lavan Island attack. The UAE has faced more Iranian drone and missile attacks than any other country since 2026 Iran war began on 28 February 2026. According to CNN, Iran has fired approximately 2,500 missiles and drones at the United Arab Emirates during its attacks.
Background
Following the high tensions and military conflict that began during late 2023, the ongoing tensions between Iran and the US, the reinstatement of economic sanctions and Iran and the 2025–2026 Iranian protests and massacres, the U.S. initiated a military buildup in the Middle East, with the aim for regime change in Iran. On 28 February, joint U.S.–Israeli strikes were launched against Iran, targeting its leaders and main military infrastructures and air defense systems. In retaliation, Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones against U.S. bases and other targets in several Arab countries across West Asia that included the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Israel.
Attacks
As of 10 May 2026, the UAE has intercepted and destroyed 551 ballistic missiles, 2,265 drones and 29 cruise missiles. Most of the missiles and drones were intercepted by UAE air defences. Even though most of them were destroyed, interception debris and falling projectiles fell on populated areas in Abu Dhabi and Dubai causing damage to civilian infrastructure and starting fires.
Iran launched the first wave of ballistic missiles and drones toward US bases in Abu Dhabi, including Al Dhafra Air Base. UAE defences intercepted most, but debris fell in a residential area near Zayed International Airport, killing one civilian (a Pakistani national) and injuring seven others from shrapnel and blasts. Loud explosions shook the Corniche, Al Dhafra, and Bateen districts, with smoke rising over the city. This strike targeted US forces at Al Dhafra, causing minor structural damage to base facilities from secondary explosions.
1 March
During the morning of March 1st, Dubai International Airport was struck by an Iranian drone, leading to four civilians being injured and the airport being evacuated. The airport sustained minor damage and emergency teams were deployed. Dubai’s media office identified the injured civilians as four Dubai airport staff. Videos were later posted on social media at around 1:30 AM local time, indicating that the airport was struck in Dubai International Terminal 3 resulting in minor injuries to multiple people and causing damage inside the airport. A fire also broke out at the Jebel Ali Port, which the Dubai government attributed to debris from the "aerial interception" of an Iranian attack. French naval air base Camp de la Paix near Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi was also struck by drones.
AWS reported that, at 4:30 AM Pacific Standard Time (4:30 PM Gulf Standard Time), one of its data centres in mec1-az2 was on fire after being struck by 'objects' and the power was then shut down. Later that day, AWS reported 'localised power issues' in az3.
2 March
On 2 March, UAE Defence Ministry reported the extent of its operations facing Iran. The Ministry updated its interception figure to 174 ballistic missiles tracked (161 intercepted and 13 falling to the sea) and 689 detected drones (645 intercepted) plus eight cruise missiles which struck the country. Educational institutions shifted to remote learning. France deployed Rafale jets to protect its bases following the attacks at Camp de la Paix and Al Dhafra. An Iranian drone strike on the United States consulate in Dubai caused a fire to break out. The government's media office claimed to have contained it with no injuries. At approximately near midnight of 3 March, explosions were heard in a US consulate. Authorities said that a limited fire broke out in the consulate following a drone targeting operation, and was quickly contained with no injuries. Ship refuelling slowed at Fujairah after debris from a drone interception fell in the area of the Fujairah Free Zone. Debris from drone interceptions rained down on ships off the coast of Fujairah, causing damage. Two oil storage tanks that were severely damage in Fujairah were burning and releasing dark plumes of smoke into the sky, while another had burned.
Second week (7 March – 13 March)
Dubai International Airport briefly closed after an unidentified object was intercepted in the area, causing smoke to rise from the airport. Smoke and fire was seen rising from the 23 Marina tower in the Dubai Marina after being hit by an Iranian projectile . A Pakistani national was confirmed to have died in Dubai after falling debris struck a vehicle in the Al Barsha area of the city. The Ministry of Defence released footage of the military destroying and intercepting Iranian drones targeting the UAE. An Emirati helicopter was lost in a crash that killed two servicemembers on 9 March, according to the Ministry of Defense of the UAE. The UK also confirmed that it had begun "defensive air sorties" in the UAE. Dubai International Airport closed briefly while passengers and staff were directed to bomb shelters after defence systems alerted of incoming missile and drone attacks. Australia said it would send a Boeing E-7 Wedgetail EWACS aircraft and missiles to the UAE but would not deploy troops. UAE air defences reported that it intercepted multiple ballistic missiles and drones. A fire broke out at the Ruwais Industrial Complex in Abu Dhabi, which houses the country's largest oil refinery as a result of an Iranian drone strike. The fire caused Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to shut off its refinery, a facility that would otherwise produce 922,000 barrels of oil per day.
A drone strike in the area of the Dubai International Airport resulted in the severe injuries of four people of Ghanaian, Indian, and Bangladeshi nationalities. Australia closed its embassy in Abu Dhabi, and its consulate in Dubai. A tower in the area of Dubai Creek Harbour was hit with a drone attack, causing a fire. UAE said that they intercepted many Iranian missiles and drones on 11 March. A minor incident involving a drone was reported in the Al Bada'a neighborhood of Dubai. There were no injuries. The Dubai International Financial Centre Innovation Hub experienced an impact, causing damage to the facade of a building. No injuries were reported.
Third week (14 March – 20 March)
A drone strike impacted the Port of Fujairah, triggering fires and the suspension of some oil-loading operations. Debris fall was also recorded, although no casualties were reported. The UAE Interior Ministry warned of a missile threat and advised residents to stay safe. According to the defence minister, the UAE destroyed four ballistic missiles and six drones. A drone attack at Dubai International Airport which hit a fuel tank caused a fire, which resulted in temporary suspension of flights. It also led to the temporary close of roads near the airport. Some flights were redirected to Al Maktoum International Airport. The fire was extinguished later in the day. It was the third incident at the airport since Iran began striking the country on 28 February. Emirates Airlines resumed limited operations at 10:00 local time. In Al Bahyan, Abu Dhabi, a missile hit a civilian car; a Palestinian national was killed. The Fujairah Oil Industry Zone was hit by a drone, causing a fire. A drone attack on a building in Umm Al Quwain caused a fire. A drone strike to Abu Dhabi's Shah oil field caused a fire. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced that educational institutions in the country would continue with distance learning for two weeks after the opening of schools and universities on 23 March. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources also announced employees of government institutions who were primary caregivers could work remotely. The Fujairah Oil Industry Zone was hit by drones, resulting in a fire. A Pakistani national was killed in Baniyas from debris from an intercepted ballistic missile. The Ministry of Defense intercepted ballistic missiles and drones from Iran. Authorities announced that all aerial interception operations were carried out successfully. The UAE intercepted missiles intended to hit the Habshan gas and oil fields. Facilities were subsequently closed temporarily. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs deemed the incident a terrorist attack and violation of international law. UAE issue in the morning urgent missile alerts as Iran continued targeting its energy sites in Habshan in Abu Dhabi.
Fourth week (21 March – 27 March)
Three days later, the UAE Defence Ministry said it tracked incoming attacks of missiles and drones from Iran. Earlier it was reported that in Abu Dhabi an Indian national was injured from debris. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards also released a video supposedly showing that they were sending missiles and drones at a US base in the UAE. Two people—an Indian and a Pakistani—were killed and three others of Jordanian and Indian nationalities were severely injured in Abu Dhabi as a result of shrapnel from an intercepted missile.
Fifth week (28 March – 3 April)
Emirates Global Aluminium reported that its Al Taweelah site sustained significant damage during Iranian missile and drone attacks at Khalifa Economic Zone, Abu Dhabi, injuring six people. The company said it could take them a year to restore their production. The strike lead to an operational shutdown and repairs which are expected to take up to one year. The UAE Ministry of Defense said it intercepted 16 ballistic missiles and 42 drones launched from Iran. According to the news report, since the war began UAE air defences engaged a total of 414 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,914 UAVs Abdullah bin Zayed condemned the Iranian attacks which have been causing damage to civilian infrastructure and facilities. According to the Ministry of Defence it intercepted 11 ballistic missiles and 27 drones launched from Iran on 30 March. A Kuwaiti crude tanker off the coast of Dubai caught fire after it was hit by an Iranian drone. No injuries were reported, but the tanker was damaged. According to the Ministry of Defense, it engaged eight ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles, and 36 drones launched from Iran on 31 March, that injured four people in a residential community in southern Dubai and caused property damage. According to the Umm Al Quwain Government Media Office, one person of Indian nationality was severely injured from an intercepted drone, that fell in an industrial building in the Umm Al Thaoub area. A Bangladeshi national was killed by missile debris on a farm in the Fujairah region. The UAE Ministry of Defense said it intercepted 5 ballistic missiles and 35 UAVs launched from Iran on 1 April 2026. According to the report, since the start of the conflict, UAE air defences have engaged a total of 438 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles, and 2,012 UAVs. On 2 April, the IRGC said that it targeted an Oracle data centre in Dubai. On 3 April, debris from a successful missile interception caused damage to KEZAD (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi) as well as gas facilities in Habshan and Ajban, which injured 12 people in Ajban and killed an Egyptian national and injured 4 others in the Habshan gas facilities, following drone and missile attacks which significantly damaged the facility. The UAE Ministry of Defence said it intercepted 18 ballistic missiles, 4 cruise missiles, and 47 UAVs launched from Iran on 3 April 2026. According to the report, since the start of the conflict, UAE air defences have engaged a total of 475 ballistic missiles, 23 cruise missiles, and 2,085 UAVs.