Dubai, Mar 7: At least 16 ballistic missiles and 121 drones were launched by Iran at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today, its defence ministry said in a statement.
Of the 16 ballistic missiles, 15 were intercepted and destroyed by the air defence systems of UAE, it said.
One ballistic missile fell into the sea, it said.
Air defence systems also detected 121 UAVs (or drones), of which 119 were intercepted, while two fell within the territory of the UAE, the statement said.
It added that since the start of the “blatant Iranian aggression”, a total of 221 ballistic missiles have been detected by the air defence systems of the UAE.
Of these, 205 were destroyed, while 14 fell into the sea and two missiles landed within the territory of the UAE, it said.
With respect to drones, it said a total of 1,305 Iranian UAVs have also been detected, of which 1,229 were intercepted, while 76 UAVs fell within the territory of the UAE.
Eight cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed.
These attacks resulted in three deaths of Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationals, and 112 minor injuries among individuals of Emirati, Egyptian, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese, Afghan, Bahraini, Comorian and Turkish nationalities, the statement said.
The Ministry of Defence affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempt to undermine the security of the state, ensuring the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguarding its interests and national capabilities.
The statement came hours after Iranian President apologised to the neighbouring countries of the Gulf, which included the UAE, for carrying out attacks on “brother nations” and promised that no further offensive will be conducted against these countries unless Iran faces any attacks from there. (NVI)
