DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Defence on Friday said that the country’s air defence systems intercepted two ballistic missiles and three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Iran.
The attacks resulted in three moderate injuries, bringing the total number of injuries to 230, according to the ministry. The total number of civilian fatalities now stands at 10, involving multiple nationalities.
“Since the beginning of the blatant Iranian attacks on the United Arab Emirates, the air defences have engaged a total of 551 ballistic missiles, 29 cruise missiles, and 2,263 UAVs,” the ministry said.
It added that it “remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country”.
The UAE air defence systems engaged 2 ballistic missiles and 3 UAV’s.
The Ministry of Defence announced that on May 8, 2026, the UAE air defence systems engaged 2 ballistic missiles and 3 UAV’s launched from Iran, resulting in 3 moderate injuries.
Since the beginning of the… pic.twitter.com/wuEKN00SHg
— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) May 8, 2026
US military ‘adventure’ occurs whenever a deal is on the table
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that, “every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the US opts for a military adventure.
“Is it a crude pressure tactic? Or the result of a spoiler once again duping POTUS (President of the United States) into another quagmire?” he asked on X.
Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the U.S. opts for a reckless military adventure. Is it a crude pressure tactic? Or the result of a spoiler once again duping POTUS into another quagmire?
Whatever the causes, outcome is the same: Iranians never bow to pressure. pic.twitter.com/ev7dMIebNB
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 8, 2026
Araghchi added that Iranians will not bow to pressure, but diplomacy “remains the victim”. “Also, the CIA is wrong. Our missile inventory and launcher capacity are not at 75 per cent compared to Feb 28. The correct figure is 120pc,” he adds, citing an excerpt from a media report.
Iran creates agency to collect Strait of Hormuz tolls
Iran has also created a new authority to regulate transit through the Strait of Hormuz and collect tolls from vessels passing through the strategic waterway, according to shipping industry journal Lloyd’s List.
“The Authority has already introduced a new framework requiring ships to obtain transit authorisation and pay tolls before sailing,” Lloyd’s List said.
The publication added that vessels are now required to submit detailed information, including ownership records, insurance documents, crew details and intended transit routes, citing a form issued by the new authority.
Trump again credits Pakistan
Earlier, US President Donald Trump for the second time publicly credited Pakistan’s leadership for persuading Washington to pause “Project Freedom,” a US-led naval operation aimed at escorting stranded commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions with Iran.
On Thursday, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that the United States had paused “Project Freedom” following requests from Pakistan amid efforts to ease tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump on why Project Freedom is Paused:
“Pakistan has been fantastic. And their leaders have been fantastic. The field marshal and the prime minister. And they asked us not to do it. We’ll go back to it if we have to.”
— Donald J Trump Posts TruthSocial (@TruthTrumpPost) May 8, 2026
“Pakistan has been fantastic. And their leaders have been fantastic. The field marshal and the prime minister,” Trump said.
“And they asked us not to do it. We’ll go back to it if we have to,” he added.
