UAE reports drone and missile attack as Iran war ceasefire is challenged

DUBAI — The fragile ceasefire in the US-Iran war came under further strain on Friday as the United Arab Emirates responded to a missile and drone attack hours after the United States said it thwarted attacks on three Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz and retaliated against Iranian military facilities.The UAE’s Ministry of Defense said the country’s air defenses were “actively engaging” with a missile and drone attack early Friday.The ministry advised residents not to approach, photograph or touch “any debris or fragments that have fallen as a result of successful air interceptions.”The latest attack came amid growing regional tensions despite a ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States that has largely held since April 8.Hours earlier, the US military said it had intercepted Iranian attacks on three Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday night and carried out strikes on Iranian military facilities linked to attacks on American forces.US Central Command said in a social media post that US forces intercepted “unprovoked Iranian attacks” and responded with self-defense strikes.US Central Command said in a social media post that US forces intercepted “unprovoked Iranian attacks” and responded with self-defense strikes.The US military said no ships were hit and stressed that it did not seek escalation but “remains positioned and ready to protect American forces.”President Donald Trump told reporters in Washington that the ceasefire was still holding despite the latest violence.The UAE was heavily targeted during the first six weeks of the US-Israeli war with Iran, which began on Feb. 28 when Washington and Israel launched strikes against Iranian targets.Authorities in Abu Dhabi this week accused Tehran of resuming drone and missile attacks on UAE territory, with strikes reported on Monday and Tuesday marking the first such attacks since the April 8 ceasefire agreement.On Thursday, the UAE announced the formation of a national committee tasked with documenting Iranian attacks and the resulting human, economic and material damage as part of preparations for possible legal action against Tehran.The committee, chaired by the UAE attorney general, will compile evidence of “Iranian acts of aggression” and alleged international crimes committed against the UAE, its citizens, residents and visitors.State news agency WAM said the body would document violations according to internationally recognized legal and technical standards to support the country’s pursuit of accountability, justice and reparations.The announcement came a day after the UAE condemned the hostile statements by Tehran accusing Abu Dhabi’s cooperation with the US of threatening Iran’s security and national interests.The UAE Foreign Ministry said its defense partnerships and international relations were a “purely sovereign matter.”Oil prices rose in early trade in Asia on Friday, with Brent crude jumping above $100 a barrel after the latest clashes, while stock prices retreated after strong gains this week on hopes for a swift resolution to the conflict.