The United Arab Emirates (UAE) confirmed on Monday, 31 August that its air force had intercepted an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) detected over the country's territorial waters, approaching from Iran. The UAE Ministry of Defence said its armed forces remain on high alert and that air defence systems are monitoring the country's airspace around the clock.

Iran Claims Strike on Al Minhad Air Base

Earlier on Monday, Iran's army claimed it had launched dozens of attack drones targeting Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE, saying the strike was aimed at US helicopters and personnel stationed there, according to Iranian state television.

In a formal statement, the Iranian Army said: 'From early Monday morning, in response to the recent aggression by the aggressor enemy and in retaliation for the martyrdom of the brave personnel of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and innocent Iranian compatriots on Larak Island, the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army targeted the locations of the helicopters and forces of the child-killing US military at the Al Minhad base in the UAE by launching dozens of attack drones.'

The statement, carried by Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency, described Al Minhad as 'one of the important centres used for supporting and transporting foreign forces.' The Iranian Army further warned it would 'avenge the blood of all the martyrs of the imposed war from the American terrorist forces,' and expressed readiness to ensure Iran's security until what it called the 'enemy threat' is removed from the region.

IRGC Had Already Claimed Regional Strikes

The Iranian Army's statement followed an earlier declaration by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which said it had carried out retaliatory strikes against US military positions in the region. The IRGC cited the deaths of its personnel and Iranian civilians on Larak Island as the trigger for the escalation.

This marks a significant escalation in regional tensions, with Iran publicly claiming direct strikes on a base located on UAE soil — a rare and provocative move that implicates a Gulf neighbour in what Tehran frames as a conflict with Washington.

UAE's Response and Posture

The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed its air force responded to the UAV detected over territorial waters approaching from Iran, without elaborating on whether the drone was shot down or otherwise neutralised. The ministry's statement stressed the readiness of the UAE Armed Forces to address any potential threats, signalling a measured but firm posture.

Notably, the UAE has not publicly corroborated Iran's claim that Al Minhad was successfully struck, and the extent of any damage — if any — has not been independently verified as of this report.

What Happens Next

The incident puts the UAE in a diplomatically fraught position, as it hosts US military assets while also maintaining economic ties with Iran. Regional analysts will be watching for any formal response from Washington, which has not yet publicly commented on Iran's claims regarding Al Minhad. Further escalation cannot be ruled out if the IRGC's stated readiness translates into additional strikes.