UAE Defense Forces Thwart Massive Iranian Aerial Assault: 161 Ballistic Missiles and 645 Drones Intercepted
ABU DHABI, UAE | March 2, 2026 — The UAE Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced today that its national air defense systems successfully neutralized a large-scale military aggression involving a barrage of 9 ballistic missiles, 6 cruise missiles, and 148 drones.
Providing a comprehensive breakdown of the escalating conflict, the Ministry revealed that since the onset of the Iranian offensive, a total of 174 ballistic missiles were tracked; of these, 161 were destroyed in mid-air, while 13 landed harmlessly in sea waters.
Furthermore, out of 689 detected Iranian drones, 645 were intercepted, with 44 falling within state territory. Additionally, 8 cruise missiles were intercepted and destroyed. While the defense systems maintained a high success rate, the Ministry confirmed three fatalities and 68 minor injuries resulting from side effects of the strikes and falling debris.
The Ministry clarified that the loud explosions heard across various regions of the country were the result of successful interceptions by ballistic missile defense batteries and fighter jets engaging cruise missiles and drones.
Although the interceptions caused minor to moderate material damage to some civilian properties, the UAE MoD condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms, labeling it a “flagrant aggression” and a “shameful violation of national sovereignty and international law.”
Asserting its right to protect its people, residents, and national assets, the UAE stated it reserves the full right to respond to this escalation at a time and manner of its choosing.
Reassuring the public of its high state of combat readiness, the Ministry of Defense emphasized that the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors remains an absolute priority.
Officials have urged the public to rely solely on official government sources for information and to refrain from circulating unverified rumors or misinformation that could compromise national security.
The Ministry concluded by reaffirming its resolve to take all necessary measures to maintain the security and stability of the Emirates against any hostile threats.