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UAE detects first Iranian missile threats since July 12, issues brief emergency alert
The emergency alert sent by authorities at 6.52pm was later lifted after 10 minutes, with authorities confirming that the situation was safe
- PUBLISHED: Tue 18 Aug 2026, 7:53 PM UPDATED: Wed 19 Aug 2026, 12:30 AM
[Editor's Note: For the latest updates on US-Iran hostilities since a 14-point MoU expired on August 17, follow the Khaleej Times live blog.]
Residents across the UAE were caught off guard on Tuesday as an emergency alert warning of a potential missile threat sounded on their phones — the first of its kind in over a month. The early warning notification, triggered in several emirates around 6.52pm, punctuated the usual rhythm of the evening, as air defence forces dealt with a missile threat "targeting the country".
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Several UAE authorities issued updates as the situation developed, including that any sounds heard across the country were the result of air defence operations. The advisory was short-lived, however, as authorities lifted the warning 10 minutes later, confirming that the situation was safe. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) later confirmed its forces had detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran towards the country. According to the MoD, the first missile fell outside the UAE’s territorial waters, while the second fell within territorial waters. Assessments conducted further showed that the two missiles were targeting maritime navigation before they fell into the sea.
Tuesday's alert marks the first emergency alert in the UAE since July 12, a gap of 37 days — and the latest escalation in the US-Iran war that will mark six months in less than two weeks since it began on February 28. Those missile threats were later confirmed to be outside the country's borders.
Authorities have previously explained that precautionary emergency alerts may be issued proactively, even when the likelihood of impact is low. Prior to this, residents had also received an emergency alert on June 26. However, officials later clarified it had been triggered by a technical glitch and was not related to any security incident.
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One day after the MoU expired
The latest attack came at a particularly tense moment in the wider conflict — just a day after a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran expired on August 17. The MoU had provided a framework for managing tensions between the two sides.
Its expiry — 60 days after its signing — means that the temporary framework for cooperation and negotiations has now formally come to an end without a deal, adding another layer of uncertainty to already fragile efforts to contain the conflict.
Instead, both sides have returned to aggressive rhetoric with Iranian officials telling Reuters that Tehran had shifted its policy from defensive to “fully offensive” amid the deadlock. Meanwhile, earlier on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump released a map circling the Strait of Hormuz — one of the biggest flashpoints of this war — and labelling it "new US territory". He also said no talks were ongoing or scheduled to take place between the United States and Iran.
UAE suspends all trade with Iran
The UAE announced just after midnight on Wednesday, it was halting all trade, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions until further notice. The move is in response to escalations that undermine regional and international peace and security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Vessels transiting the region have seen fresh attacks in recent days, with UAE-linked energy interests coming under renewed pressure. Adnoc tanker vessels were targeted for a third time in less than a week on August 14, the UAE-based energy giant confirmed.
Since the war began, 18 Adnoc vessels have been attacked, the company said in a statement, adding the strikes had resulted in one crew member being killed and 20 others injured.
