Photo courtesy of Anadolu
The United Arab Emirates said Monday that its Air Force responded to a drone detected over the country’s territorial waters as it approached from Iran, amid renewed regional tensions following US strikes on Iranian territory.
The UAE Defense Ministry said the unmanned aerial vehicle was detected over Emirati waters, prompting an Air Force response. It did not immediately provide details on whether the drone was intercepted or destroyed.
The ministry said the UAE Armed Forces remained on heightened readiness against potential threats.
The announcement came hours after Iran’s military said it had launched dozens of explosive drones toward US forces and helicopters stationed at Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE.
Iran said the operation was in retaliation for a US strike on Larak Island on Sunday.
US forces had targeted two Iranian launchers on the island, saying the systems were allegedly being prepared to fire rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the US attack killed and injured several fighters and civilians and vowed to respond.
The latest developments have raised tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global energy supplies, as military activity involving the United States and Iran intensifies in the region.
