Abu Dhabi [UAE], March 1 (ANI): The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense said the air force and air defense forces have intercepted a significant number of aerial threats following a large-scale Iranian attack that began Feb. 28.
In a statement shared on X and reposted by the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the ministry said the military has “so far dealt with 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 541 Iranian drones since the start of the Iranian attack.”
The escalation comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia following joint missile strikes titled Operation Roaring Lion and Operation Epic Fury by Israel and the United States against Iran. Explosions were reported in Tehran and other major cities, with U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian state media claiming that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes, along with his daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law and son-in-law. However, an Israeli newspaper reported that there is no official confirmation regarding Khamenei’s fate.
Providing a breakdown of defensive operations on the second morning of the assault, the UAE ministry said its forces destroyed 20 ballistic missiles, while eight missiles fell into the sea, in addition to intercepting and destroying two cruise missiles and 311 drones.
The ministry said that since the beginning of the offensive, 152 ballistic missiles were destroyed, while 13 fell into sea waters. Of the 541 detected Iranian drones, 506 were intercepted and destroyed, while 35 fell within the country, causing material damage.
Despite the interceptions, officials said 21 drones struck civilian targets. The incidents resulted in three fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationals and 58 minor injuries among various nationalities, including Indians.
The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi said on X that it is aware of the injury to an Indian national and is in contact with hospital authorities. “The Indian national is out of danger. We are rendering all possible assistance,” the embassy said.
The retaliatory strikes by Iran followed its vow of “the most devastating offensive operation” against U.S. bases and Israel. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed attacks on 27 bases hosting U.S. troops in West Asia and Israeli facilities in Tel Aviv.
Reports of strikes also emerged from Dubai; Doha, Qatar; Bahrain; and Kuwait, while an oil tanker was struck off the coast of Oman, leading to widespread flight cancellations and diversions.
Following Saturday’s strikes, Israel said Sunday that it is attacking targets “in the heart of Tehran.”
International media outlets reported contrasting public reactions inside Iran. CNN and Fox News described celebrations in several cities, including Besat Town, with slogans of “Death to the Islamic Republic” and “Long live the Shah.” Former Israeli spokesperson Eylon A. Levy and activist Masih Alinejad shared footage of Iranian women dancing in the streets after reports of the strike on the supreme leader.
Earlier, President Trump announced Khamenei’s death on Truth Social, calling it “justice for the people of Iran” and saying that “pinpoint bombing … will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE.”
As Iran’s Supreme Leader’s office declared 40 days of national mourning with flags at half-staff, authorities heightened security in major cities to prevent unrest. Attention is now focused on the process of selecting a successor to Khamenei, whose 37-year tenure has come to an end, while the UAE Ministry of Defense reiterated that “the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority that cannot be compromised.” (ANI)
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