UAE Denies Iranian Claims of Attack on US Base in Its Territory
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has denied claims that Iran targeted an airbase housing United States (US) forces within its territory during recent clashes between Washington and Tehran on Monday (31/8).
However, Abu Dhabi authorities acknowledged that their forces intercepted an Iranian drone detected flying over their territorial waters.
In a statement reported by AFP and Anadolu Agency on Monday (31/8/2026), the UAE Ministry of Defence asserted that reports of an Iranian attack on Al Minhad Air Base are “untrue.”
“Media reports regarding missile attacks on Al Minhad Air Base are unfounded,” the UAE Ministry of Defence stated via a post on X.
The Ministry added that its Armed Forces remain on high alert to respond to any threats and to maintain the sovereignty, security, and stability of the nation.
This denial comes several hours after the Iranian military announced early Monday (31/8) that its forces had targeted the Al Minhad Air Base, which hosts US troops in the UAE, using “dozens of attack drones.”
The attack was reportedly intended as retaliation for the latest US strike on Larak Island on Sunday (30/8) local time, which was claimed to have caused casualties.
The Iranian military claimed its strike targeted locations within the airbase where US troops and military helicopters are stationed.
In a separate statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence reported that its forces had dealt with a drone originating from Iranian territory that was detected over their waters.
“The Ministry of Defence announces that the UAE Air Force responded to a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) detected in the country’s waters, approaching from the direction of Iran,” the UAE Ministry of Defence stated via X.
Previously, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that its forces attacked two Iranian rocket launchers located on Larak Island.
According to CENTCOM, the strike was launched after the US military detected the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) preparing sea-mine-laden rockets for launch into the Strait of Hormuz.
Larak Island is a small Iranian island in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz, which has recently become a critical point for Tehran in the military and maritime control sectors. The island is also used by the IRGC to monitor ship traffic passing through one of the world’s most important maritime routes.
The IRGC reacted strongly, accusing the US of “acts of aggression” targeting Larak Island. The IRGC also vowed to retaliate and “punish the aggressor.”