US‑Israel war on Iran, Day 19: Iran president warns of 'uncontrollable consequences' after gas field attack; UAE intercepts threats

Four residents were injured and limited material damage was caused as a result of the fall of shrapnel from intercepting a ballistic missile on a residential site in Riyadh city, said The General Directorate of Saudi Civil Defence.

UAE has issued a safety alert via phone across Dubai that calls for people to seek a safe place and shelter. Stay away from windows, it added.

The UAE's air defences are currently dealing with missile and drone attacks coming from Iran, and the Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the sounds heard in the various areas of the country are the result of the interception by air defence systems of ballistic missiles, and by fighter jets of drones and loitering munitions.

Iran's president warned on Wednesday of the risk of "uncontrollable consequences" of attacks on energy infrastructure, after facilities in the giant Iranian South Pars gas field were targeted in the US-Israeli war against the Islamic republic.

"This will complicate the situation and could have uncontrollable consequences, the scope of which could engulf the entire world," Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on X, adding that such attacks "will yield nothing" for Iran's foes the US and Israel.

Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf added in a separate post on X that after the attacks on energy facilities "an eye-for-an-eye sum is in effect, and a new level of confrontation has begun".

Qatar said on Wednesday that Iranian attacks on its main gas facility situated on its north coast were a "direct threat to its national security".

"Qatar expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the brutal Iranian attack targeting Ras Laffan Industrial City... Qatar considers this assault a dangerous escalation, a flagrant violation of its sovereignty, and a direct threat to its national security," the Gulf state's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced urgent measures during a press conference today, which included:

● Suspension of advertising lights on roads

● Reduction of street lighting

● Closure of the government district at 6pm

● Closure of shops, malls, restaurants, and cafes at 9pm, except for Thursdays and Fridays when they close at 10pm

● Consideration of employees working from home

Qatar's Ministry of Interior posted on X that the country's Civil Defence is responding to a fire in the Ras Laffan area following Iranian targeting.

"QatarEnergy confirms that Ras Laffan Industrial City this evening has been the subject of missile attacks," the firm said in a statement. "Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting fires, as extensive damage has been caused. All personnel have been accounted for and no casualties have been reported at this time."

The US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged Wednesday as expected, in defiance of President Donald Trump as the world's largest economy battles stubborn inflation, weak labour demand and an "uncertain" economic outlook due to the war in Iran.

The Fed's 11-1 vote kept rates steady at a range between 3.50 per cent and 3.75 per cent, with officials flagging one expected rate cut by the end of the year.

"The implications of developments in the Middle East for the US economy are uncertain," the Fed said in a statement.

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defence announced on Wednesday that Kuwait's air defence systems have successfully detected and engaged a total of four ballistic missiles and 23 drones in the last 24 hours amidst the current regional military escalation, Kuwait News Agency reported.

In a media briefing conducted by the Government Communication Centre, Ministry of Defence Spokesman Col. Saud Al-Atwan confirmed that the Kuwaiti Armed Forces effectively intercepted the hostile targets within the designated operational zones.

Three other drones fell outside the danger zone without inflicting any material damage, he affirmed.

Four ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh were intercepted and destroyed; reported Saudi Gazette. Debris fell in various areas of the capital with no initial reports of damage or injuries, said the Saudi Defense Ministry spokesperson.

US President Donald Trump is travelling to Dover Air Force Base for the dignified transfer of six US service members killed in a refuelling aircraft crash in Iraq, CNN reports. He was joined by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Gen. Dan Caine, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine will also attend to honour three Ohio service members. The military confirmed the crash was not due to hostile or friendly fire. Earlier this month, Trump attended a similar ceremony for soldiers killed in an Iranian drone strike.

Saudi Arabia said its air defences were countering ballistic missiles on Wednesday after AFP journalists heard loud explosions echoing over the capital Riyadh as Iran's Gulf campaign ground on.

"Air defences are dealing with a ballistic threat in Riyadh," the Saudi defence ministry said, quoting a spokesperson in a statement on X.

Residents also received a phone alert warning that "the area is under hostile aerial threat".

The Israeli military told AFP on Wednesday that "debris" had hit Ben Gurion international airport following Iranian missile fire, without specifying when the incident had occurred.

Israeli media reported that private planes parked at the airport near Tel Aviv had sustained damage. The army lifted the censorship order regarding the incident on Wednesday but did not authorise the disclosure of the date.

It is the first time the army has announced that Ben Gurion - Israel's main international airport - has been hit since the start of the Middle East war, triggered by the US-Israeli attacks against Iran launched on February 28.

Air India and Air India Express are set to operate a total of 48 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from the GCC countries on March 19, 2026.

Alongside regular services, the airlines will operate 30 additional non-scheduled flights to the UAE and Saudi Arabia. These flights are subject to slot availability and local conditions at departure points and have received all necessary approvals from Indian and regional authorities.

Scheduled operations to Jeddah and Muscat will continue as planned. A total of 16 flights will run between India and Jeddah, with Air India operating return services from Delhi and Mumbai, and Air India Express flying from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kozhikode.

Air India Express will also operate six flights to Muscat, covering Delhi, Kozhikode, and Mumbai.

Flight operations at Dubai International Airport have resumed from 4:00pm (DXB local time) on March 18, 2026, India’s IndiGo airline  confirmed.

The airline said flights scheduled for Thursday will operate as planned, following safety checks and regulatory approvals. Passengers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

US intelligence concluded Wednesday that Iran was not rebuilding nuclear enrichment capacities that were destroyed in a June 2025 US-Israeli attack, contradicting President Donald Trump's justifications for his ongoing war.

Tulsi Gabbard, a Trump ally who is director of national intelligence, shared the conclusion in written testimony as part of an annual threat assessment but did not repeat the finding when speaking to senators.

"As a result of Operation Midnight Hammer, Iran's nuclear enrichment program was obliterated. There has been no efforts since then to try to rebuild their enrichment capability," Gabbard said in the testimony to the Senate intelligence committee.

A spokesperson for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence, Major General Turki Al Malki, confirmed that two ballistic missiles fired toward the country’s Eastern Region were successfully intercepted and destroyed.

The UAE has affirmed that targeting energy facilities linked to the Pars field poses a threat to global energy security, as well as to regional security and stability.

Iraq's gas imports from Iran were completely halted on Wednesday, the electricity ministry spokesperson said, after US-Israeli strikes on a major Iranian gas facility.

Ahmed Moussa told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "due to regional developments, Iranian gas supplies to Iraq completely halted an hour ago," cutting about 3,100 megawatts of power, which will "certainly affect the grid."

Despite Iraq's abundant oil and gas reserves, its power plants are highly dependent on gas imported from Iran.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday temporarily waived a century-old shipping law to help ease energy costs that have surged since US-Israeli strikes on Iran plunged the Middle East into war.

Trump's move to issue a 60-day Jones Act waiver would lift a ban on foreign-flagged vessels transporting cargo between US ports over this period.

The 1920 law was aimed at promoting American shipbuilding, but critics argue that it hampers free trade and has raised costs for consumers.

Trump's latest move is "just another step to mitigate the short-term disruptions to the oil market as the US military continues meeting the objectives of Operation Epic Fury," said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in a statement.

She was referring to the joint US-Israeli offensive launched against Iran on February 28.

"This action will allow vital resources like oil, natural gas, fertilizer and coal to flow freely to US ports for sixty days," Leavitt added.

An AFP journalist heard loud blasts over the Tel Aviv area on Wednesday, after the Israeli military said it had detected missiles fired from Iran.

First responders were working at an impact site in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv shortly afterwards, AFP live footage showed. Israel's Magen David Adom emergency services said there were no initial reports of casualties.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Wednesday that if the United States had consulted Berlin about the US-Israel war against Iran, "we would have advised against taking this course of action".

"We share with Israel and the United States the objective that Iran should no longer pose a threat in future," Merz told parliament.

"For years and decades, the Iranian regime has broken rule after rule, spread terror across the world and destabilised the neighbourhood. This regime bears responsibility for the current crisis in the region," he said.

"At the same time, however, we have also made it clear that we still have many questions regarding this war," Merz said, adding that the US and Israel had shown "no convincing plan as to how this operation could succeed".

Washington had "not consulted" Germany about the war, Merz noted.

"We would have advised against taking this course of action as it has been pursued so far," he said, reaffirming that "we have stated that, for as long as the war continues, we will not take part in it".

India's Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Wednesday announced a special assessment scheme for declaring Class 10 results across Middle East countries, after several Board examinations were cancelled due to the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war.

CBSE said the results of Middle East students will be declared along with rest of the students. “Students will be allowed to improve their performance in second Board examinations as per policy," the Board clarified.

It clarified that Class 12 assessment scheme will be communicated separately once decided.

Russia on Wednesday condemned the killing of Iranian security chief Ali Larijani, after ally Tehran vowed retaliation for his death in an Israeli airstrike.

Larijani had met Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin in January, at a time when US navy ships were heading towards Iran ahead of the US-Israeli air campaign launched at the end of February.

"We firmly condemn actions aimed at harming the health and, even more, the killing of the leadership of sovereign and independent Iran. We condemn such actions," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in a daily briefing.

Qatar on Wednesday blamed Israel for an attack on an offshore natural gas field it shares with Iran.

The accusation came from Majed Al Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar's Foreign Ministry. The Iranian side of the field, the South Pars field, came under attack Wednesday and was burning.

Al Ansari called the attack "a dangerous & irresponsible step amid the current military escalation in the region."

"Targeting energy infrastructure constitutes a threat to global energy security, as well as to the peoples of the region & its environment," he wrote on X.

"We reiterate, as we have repeatedly emphasised, the necessity of avoiding the targeting of vital facilities. We call on all parties to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, & work toward de-escalation in a manner that preserves the security & stability of the region."

Russia on Wednesday strongly condemned what it said was a "missile strike" on Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, which the UN's nuclear watchdog announced earlier was hit by a projectile.

"We strongly condemn the irresponsible, completely unacceptable missile strike launched against the inner perimeter of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, just metres from an operating reactor," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a weekly briefing.

She added that Russia had warned the United States and Israel against "threatening the lives" of Russian citizens still working at the plant, which Moscow helped build.

The alarm has been activated in Bahrain, reports the country's Ministry of Interior. Citizens and residents have been requested to remain calm, head to the nearest safe location, and follow updates through official channels.

US-Israeli strikes hit a major Iranian gas facility in the Gulf on Wednesday causing a fire, Iranian state television reported.

"Moments ago, parts of the gas facilities located in the South Pars Special Economic Energy Zone in Asaluyeh were struck by projectiles fired by the American-Zionist enemy," state television reported, citing Ehsan Jahanian, the deputy governor of the southern Bushehr province, where the facility is located.

It added that firefighting teams were dispatched to the scene to contain the fire.

The UAE air defence systems on 18th March 2026 engaged 13 ballistic missiles and 27 UAVs launched from Iran.

Since the onset of the blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 327 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,699 UAVs.

These attacks have resulted in the martyrdom of 2 members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, as well as 6 fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi and Palestinian nationalities.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that Israeli forces had killed Iran's Minister of Intelligence Esmail Khatib.

"Last night Iran's Intelligence Minister Khatib was also eliminated," Katz said in a statement.

Hezbollah's Al Manar TV said the director of its political programmes was killed alongside his wife in an Israeli strike on central Beirut on Wednesday.

In a statement, the channel said the "director of political programmes at the channel, Mohammad Sherri and his wife" were killed "in the Zionist raid on the Zuqaq al-Blat area in Beirut".

His children and grandchildren were wounded and hospitalised following the strike, according to Al Manar.

Iranian media said on Wednesday that Israel and the United States had launched fresh strikes in across several areas of the country, including the capital Tehran.

Among the locations hit were areas in Lorestan province and Hamedan city, both in the west of Iran, as well as Fars province in the south.

Tasnim news agency said "seven people were killed and 56 were injured in an American-Zionist attack on residential areas in Dorud town" in Lorestan province.

AFP could not independently verify the figures.

The judiciary's Mizan Online website said US-Israeli strikes hit a judiciary building in Fars province.

Israeli strikes on central Beirut on Wednesday morning killed at least 12 people, the Lebanese health ministry said in updated tolls.

The ministry said that the strikes on the Basta and Zuqaq al-Blat neighbourhoods in central Beirut killed at least 12 people and wounded 41.

One of the region's biggest travel events, Arabian Travel Market, will now take place from August 17-20 at Dubai World Trade Centre, its organisers said in a statement. The event usually takes place during late April or early May.

"The decision to reschedule the event has been made to prioritise the safety and well-being of customers, partners and colleagues, and to give the global travel and tourism community greater confidence and flexibility to attend," events and exhibitions company RX said.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said, "The safety and well-being of our customers, partners and colleagues remains our highest priority, and the decision to reschedule ATM 2026 to August reflects our commitment to ensuring that everyone can participate at this important industry gathering. We look forward to welcoming the international travel community back to Dubai later this year."

Iranian armed forces will make use of more weapons that weren’t previously used in the war, Iran’s army spokesperson says, Reuters reports citing state TV.

An Israeli strike on Wednesday hit a car in the centre of Sidon, southern Lebanon's largest city, state media reported.

An AFP correspondent at the scene said the strike hit near the city's civil defence headquarters and the seaside road, where many displaced people are sleeping in their cars.

At least four explosions were heard on Wednesday in the city of Erbil in the autonomous Kurdistan region, AFP journalists reported.

It was not immediately clear what the target was. From a suburb of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region, AFP journalists saw interceptions of projectiles over the city, which is home to a major US consulate complex, while its airport houses US-led coalition troops.

Iraq announced on Wednesday it had resumed limited oil exports of 250,000 bpd through the Turkish port of Ceyhan after the country's output plunged due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

A founding member of the OPEC cartel, crude oil sales make up 90 per cent of Iraq's budget revenues. Before the outbreak of war on February 28, Iraq mainly shipped its oil - roughly 3.5 million barrels per day - from the southern Basra fields via the Strait of Hormuz.

The state-owned North Oil Company said it "has begun operating the Sarlo pumping station to resume pumping and exporting Kirkuk oil to the port of Ceyhan with an initial capacity of 250,000 barrels per day".

Iraq resumed oil exports from its fields in the northern Kirkuk province "after a disruptive period that posed a significant challenge to the oil sector," and in agreement with the autonomous Kurdistan Region, through which the pipeline to Turkey's port of Ceyhan runs.

Iraq has been scrambling to find a solution to export its oil, and there have been long-running talks with Iraqi Kurdistan to ship it through the autonomous region.

Kurdish authorities had asked for several measures in return, before agreeing to let the oil flow through the region's pipeline.

The Kurdistan natural resources ministry said that the Sarlo oil station began operating at 6:30 am (0330 GMT) to enable exports via the Kurdistan region pipeline to the port of Ceyhan.

Iran will hold a funeral Wednesday for its security chief Ali Larijani as it vowed revenge, firing off a wave of missiles at Israel after it killed the powerful figure in an air strike.

According to Iran's Fars and Tasnim news agencies, funerals for Larijani and another powerful figure killed by Israel, Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the Basij paramilitary force, will take place from 1030 GMT in Tehran.

Their deaths were announced Tuesday.

A new Israeli strike hit central Beirut's Zuqaq al-Blat neighbourhood on Wednesday, state media reported, the second on the densely populated area since the early morning without prior warning.

A blast was heard throughout the capital, and AFPTV's live broadcast showed plumes of smoke rising from the area as the war between Hezbollah and Israel continued.

A building in Bashoura, also in central Beirut, was struck earlier following an Israeli warning.

Dubai Media Office, through a social media post, confirms that the situation in the country is currently safe, following earlier warnings about potential missile threats.

The Ministry of Defence has warned of a potential missile threat. Residents are urged to move to the nearest secure building, stay away from windows, doors, and open areas, and await official instructions.

Authorities have stressed the importance of staying in safe locations, following official channels for real-time updates, and remaining vigilant as the situation develops.

Residents and travellers are strongly urged to:

• Remain in a safe location until the threat is resolved

• Follow official channels for real-time warnings, updates, and instructions

• Avoid spreading unverified information that could cause panic

UN nuclear watchdog says Iranian authorities reported a projectile impact at the country's only operational nuclear power plant that caused no damage

Iranian authorities have executed a man convicted of spying for Israel, the judiciary said on Wednesday, in the first such execution announced since the war with Israel and the United States broke out.

Mizan identified the man as Kouroush Keyvani and said he was arrested during Iran's 12-day war with Israel in June. The US briefly joined with strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

It listed details of his meetings with agents from Israel's Mossad spy agency and said he received training in "six European countries and in Tel Aviv."

On February 28, Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, killing its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggering another war that has spread across the Middle East.

Gold prices in Dubai edged slightly higher on Wednesday morning, with 24K at Dh601 and 22K at Dh556.50, but remain about Dh40 below the March peak, indicating that the earlier rally has cooled. Prices have moved within a narrow range in recent days, even as global gold holds near record levels, prompting buyers to assess whether this softer phase offers a timely entry point for jewellery purchases.

Tesla has enabled free Supercharging across more than 30 stations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar from midnight local time, after a user appeal and in line with its policy of supporting drivers during difficult situations, giving Tesla owners immediate cost relief and uninterrupted access to charging across key cities including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah and Doha

About 90 ships including oil tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the outset of the war with Iran and it is still exporting millions of barrels of oil at a time when the waterway has been effectively closed, according to maritime and trade data platforms.

Many of the vessels that passed through the strait were so-called "dark" transits evading Western government sanctions and oversight that likely have ties to Iran, maritime data firm Lloyd's List Intelligence said. More recently, vessels with ties to India and Pakistan have also successfully crossed the strait as governments stepped up negotiations.

A senior Australian government minister said he isn’t aware of any formal U.S. request for military support to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers was responding Wednesday to US President Donald Trump’s complaint that Australia, Japan, South Korea and NATO had rejected his calls to help secure the strait from Iranian attack.

Asked if Australia had received any formal US request for extra military support to keep the strait open, Chalmers told Australian Broadcasting Corp: “Not that I’m aware of.”

“It’s not something that we’ve been considering, in terms of sending battleships to the Strait of Hormuz,” Chalmers told Sky News television in another interview.

Iran vowed on Wednesday a "decisive" retaliation for the death of its security chief Ali Larijani, firing off a wave of missiles at Israel which said it killed him in an air strike.

A barrage of Iranian missiles killed two people near Israel's commercial hub Tel Aviv, while Gulf nations intercepted rockets and drones headed for targets including US bases in the region.

Iran will hold funerals Wednesday for Larijani and another powerful figure killed Tuesday by Israel, Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the Basij paramilitary force, according to the Fars and Tasnim news agencies.

Larijani is the most prominent figure of the Islamic republic killed since Israel and the United States launched their attacks on Iran on February 28, killing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and igniting a war in the Middle East.

"Iran's response to the assassination of the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council will be decisive and regrettable," Iranian army chief Amir Hatami said in a statement.

Qatar's defence ministry said it intercepted a missile attack on Wednesday as blasts were heard in Doha.

"Armed forces intercepted missile attack which targeted State of Qatar," the ministry of defence said in a statement, released shortly after an AFP journalist in the capital heard several blasts.

The repercussions of the war in the Middle East would be felt globally, Iran's top diplomat said on Wednesday, suggesting more Western officials should push back against the conflict.

"Wave of global repercussions has only begun and will hit all - regardless of wealth, faith, or race," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X, accompanied by a copy of the US National Counterterrorism Center director's resignation announcement prompted by the war on Tuesday.

"A rising number of voices - (including) European and U.S. officials - exclaim that the war on Iran is unjust. More members of the international community should follow suit," the post added.

The UAE has issued a new security alert following an earlier notification reassuring residents of their safety after a potential missile and drone threat from Iran.

Authorities urged the public to remain vigilant, follow official guidance, and rely only on verified updates. Emergency services have confirmed that precautionary measures are in place, and residents are advised to stay in secure locations until further notice.

The Ministry of Interior and defence authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide timely updates to ensure public safety.

UAE residents get emergency alert over missile threat

The Ministry of Defence has warned of a potential missile threat. Residents are urged to move to the nearest secure building, stay away from windows, doors, and open areas, and await official instructions.

Authorities have stressed the importance of staying in safe locations, following official channels for real-time updates, and remaining vigilant as the situation develops.

Residents and travellers are strongly urged to:

• Remain in a safe location until the threat is resolved

• Follow official channels for real-time warnings, updates, and instructions

• Avoid spreading unverified information that could cause panic

Saudi Arabia has intercepted a ballistic missile near Prince Sultan Air Base, which houses US military personnel, the defence ministry said on Wednesday as Iran continues strikes on Gulf nations.

An Iranian missile barrage killed two people near Israel's commercial hub Tel Aviv, medics said Wednesday, as the national railway company suspended operations due to shrapnel impact at a station in the city.

Authorities reported that falling munitions had hit multiple sites in central Israel in the overnight barrage that triggered air raid sirens across the area, after another day of heavy Israeli bombardments in Iran and Lebanon.

The latest deaths took the toll from missile attacks on Israel since the start of the Middle East war late last month to 14 people.

AFP footage from Ramat Gan, a city just outside Tel Aviv, showed police officers, rescuers and military personnel on a street strewn with rubble.

Israel's Magen David Adom emergency medical service said two people were found dead at the scene.

Lebanon's health ministry said that two Israeli strikes on central Beirut early Wednesday killed at least six people and wounded 24 others, noting the toll was preliminary.

"Human remains were also recovered from the site and their identities will be determined after DNA testing," the ministry statement said.

Qatar Airways has announced that it will resume operating a limited number of flights during the period from March 18 to 28.

In a statement, the airline said that passengers can book flights through its official website or the Qatar Airways mobile application.

Bahrain on Wednesday said it has so far intercepted 129 missiles and 233 drones since the beginning of the US-Israel war on Iran more than two weeks ago.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed his sincere condolences and deep sympathy to the families of the victims of Iran’s unprovoked terrorist attacks targeting the UAE.

The victims, who lost their lives as a result of these blatant attacks are: Alaa Nader Awni from the State of Palestine; Murib Zaman Nizar, Muzaffar Ali Ghulam, and Ismail Salim Khan from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; Ahmed Ali from the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; and Dibas Shrestha from the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

Sheikh Abdullah underscored the UAE’s continued commitment to the safety and security of all citizens, residents, and visitors.

He condemned in the strongest terms the continued Iranian missile and drone attacks, which have persisted for 18 consecutive days and involved more than 2,000 ballistic and cruise missiles and drones targeting critical civilian infrastructure, airports, residential areas, and civilian sites across the UAE.

UAE authorities have announced that the emergency alert has been lifted and the situation is now safe.

In an official update, government agencies confirmed that all necessary precautionary measures had been carried out and there is no longer any immediate threat. Residents and visitors were advised that normal activities can resume, while authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

Officials also urged the public to stay informed through official channels and avoid spreading unverified information, emphasising that the country’s security systems remain fully operational and ready to respond to any future developments.

Air defenses in the United Arab Emirates are actively intercepting incoming missile and drone threats launched from Iran, according to the country’s Ministry of Defence.

The ministry said the loud sounds heard across parts of the UAE are the result of air defense systems engaging and destroying incoming projectiles, confirming they are interceptions rather than direct strikes.

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong statement condemning Iranian attacks, warning that the country is fully prepared to respond to any threats against its territory and people.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated: "Amid the unprovoked Iranian terrorist attacks, the United Arab Emirates unequivocally rejects any aggression targeting its security or sovereignty, and affirms that it remains steadfast and fully prepared to respond decisively to any threat. The UAE will not tolerate any attempt to compromise its security or territorial integrity, and will act with absolute resolve to protect its citizens, residents, and visitors, and defend its national interests."

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned, in the strongest terms, the terrorist plot that targeted the State of Kuwait.

The Council affirmed its unequivocal rejection of all forms of extremism, terrorism, and criminal plots aimed at undermining the security and stability of Gulf and Arab states and commends the competence, vigilance, and professionalism of the relevant security authorities in the State of Kuwait for their success in dismantling a terrorist cell affiliated with Hezbollah organisation that was planning to destabilise security and stability and recruit individuals for the organisation.

Iran has officially announced the death of Ali Larijani, a prominent political figure and former parliament speaker, according to state media reports. Larijani was widely regarded as an influential voice in Iranian politics, having held several senior roles over decades.

According to Fars News Agency, Larijani was killed along with his son, one of his aides, and several others after his daughter’s home in the Pardis area was targeted.

Day 18: Iran confirms security chief Ali Larijani killed

Day 17:  Trump urges allies to secure Strait of Hormuz,

Day 16: Trump calls for allies on Strait of Hormuz security

Day 15: Trump threatens Iran’s oil infrastructure after US bombs Kharg

Day 14: Trump vows intense strikes against Iran in coming days

Day 13: US refueling aircraft crashes in Iraq

Day 12: Donald Trump says Iran near point of defeat

Day 11: US says today will be the 'most intense' of attacks

Day 10: UAE intercepts 15 missiles and 119 drones

Day 9: Gulf nations face fresh attacks

Day 8: US forces hit Iran hard, Trump touts battlefield gains

Day 7: Thousands being evacuated from Middle East: Trump

Day 6: Spring break for schools, moved up; some exams cancelled

Day 5: UAE waives overstay fines caused by airspace closure

Day 4: Dubai contains fire near US Consulate

Day 3: Trump lists 'clear' Iran war objectives

Day 2: UAE airlines extend flight cancellations

Day 1: UAE intercepts missiles; regional airspaces closed