UAE closes Tehran embassy, repels Iranian attacks amid escalation

ABU DHABI – The United Arab Emirates on Sunday announced the closure of its embassy in Tehran and the withdrawal of all diplomatic staff following a series of Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting the country since early Saturday. The move reflects the seriousness of the escalation in the Gulf and underscores Abu Dhabi’s firm position on defending its sovereignty and protecting civilians.

The UAE Ministry of Defence reported the country’s air defences have intercepted 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 541 Iranian drones since Saturday.

The ministry said that 20 ballistic missiles were destroyed on Sunday. Eight missiles were shot down over the sea, while two cruise missiles and 311 drones were also destroyed, and 21 drones caused damage after hitting civilian areas.

Of the 165 ballistic missiles launched from Iran, 152 were destroyed while 13 fell into the sea, along with two cruise missiles which were detected and destroyed.

Of the 541 Iranian drones, 506 were intercepted and destroyed while 35 fell within the country's territory, resulting in three fatalities.

Meanwhile, three foreign nationals were killed and at least 58 others injured, representing residents and expatriates from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon and Afghanistan. Authorities emphasised that the overall security situation remains under control and urged the public to avoid areas affected by debris or shrapnel.

“Resulting from the effective interception of missiles and drones, some shrapnel fell in scattered areas across the country, causing minor material damage to a number of civilian properties,” the Ministry of Defence said. It highlighted that the UAE’s modern armed forces had mitigated the potential impact of the attacks.

Key incidents included strikes on Al Salam naval base in Abu Dhabi, where two containers caught fire, and at Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, where debris from drone interceptions sparked a blaze. Civil Defence teams responded immediately.

In Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Towers, debris from an intercepted drone injured a woman and her child, while two additional injuries were reported in Dubai after debris fell near residential houses. A small fire on the facade of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai was also swiftly brought under control.

The Ministry of Defence described the Iranian attacks as a “blatant act of aggression” and reaffirmed that the UAE reserves its full and legitimate right to respond. The Ministry of Interior said it remains “at the highest level of readiness to take all necessary precautionary measures” and is closely monitoring developments in coordination with relevant authorities.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the strikes in the strongest terms, calling them “a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and a clear breach of international law.” It emphasised that the UAE fully supports affected countries in the region and that any infringement on sovereignty constitutes a direct threat to regional security and stability. At the same time, the ministry reiterated the UAE’s commitment to diplomatic solutions while maintaining the right to defend its territory.

The escalation follows US and Israeli air and sea strikes on Iran on Saturday, which reportedly killed senior Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with a large-scale campaign of missile and drone attacks targeting multiple Gulf states, including the UAE, aiming to disrupt both civilian and strategic infrastructure.

Authorities underscored that the UAE’s defensive doctrine, built around highly integrated and modern armed forces, has proven effective in protecting the country’s national gains and ensuring the safety of residents.

The closure of the UAE embassy in Tehran, along with the withdrawal of diplomatic personnel, signals a sharp diplomatic response to the attacks, which targeted residential areas, airports, ports and service facilities.

Authorities called the strikes “serious and irresponsible” and a violation of both UAE sovereignty and international law, including the United Nations Charter.