The United Arab Emirates’ defence ministry said on Tuesday that its air defences were dealing with missile and drone attacks from Iran, a second day of attacks after four weeks of relative calm since the United States announced a ceasefire.
The Gulf Arab state’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the attacks were “a serious escalation” and posed a direct threat to the state’s security, adding that the UAE reserved its “full and legitimate right” to respond.
On Monday evening, the UAE had said its air defences were engaging missile and drone threats as firefighters battled a blaze at a major oil industry zone following a drone attack that authorities said had originated from Iran
This comes as the UAE accused Iran of launching attacks n its territory on Monday, which Tehran did not deny, but said were a result of “US military’s adventurism”.
Also on Tuesday, the United States said it was “not looking for a fight” over the Strait of Hormuz and its ceasefire with Iran still holds, but any attack on commercial shipping will be met with a “devastating” response, the Pentagon chief said.
The warning from Pete Hegseth came on the second day of a US effort to facilitate the transit of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had closed in response to the US-Israeli war against the Islamic republic.
“We’re not looking for a fight. But Iran also cannot be allowed to block innocent countries and their goods from an international waterway,” Hegseth told reporters.
“If you attack American troops or innocent commercial shipping, you will face overwhelming and devastating American firepower,” the Pentagon chief said.
Top US military officer General Dan Caine meanwhile said US forces are ready to resume major combat operations against Iran if ordered to do so.
The ceasefire between Iran and the US is considerably under more threat, following the latest escalation in attacks in the region and escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have left the truce crumbling.
