Amanze Chinonye
Iran has warned civilians in the United Arab Emirates to stay away from ports and facilities linked to the United States as tensions escalate across the Gulf, while Emirati air defence systems continue intercepting waves of Iranian missiles and drones targeting the country.
Iran’s military issued the warning through Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, who appeared on state television accusing the United States of launching missiles from “UAE ports, docks and hideouts” against Iranian territory.
He cited strikes on Iranian islands including Abu Musa and Kharg Island, declaring that Iran had a “legitimate right” to retaliate against the alleged launch points and urging civilians to leave port areas and U.S.-linked facilities to avoid harm.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHours after the warning, the UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed that air defence systems intercepted nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones launched from Iran on March 14.
Hundreds of missiles and drones intercepted
In a statement, the ministry said that since the start of the Iranian attacks on February 28, the country’s air defences have intercepted 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and about 1,600 drones targeting the UAE.
The attacks have resulted in six fatalities involving individuals of Emirati, Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationalities.
Authorities also reported 141 injuries ranging from minor to moderate, affecting residents of numerous nationalities including Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese, Afghan, Bahraini, Comorian, Turkish, Iraqi, Nepali, Nigerian, Omani, Jordanian, Palestinian, Ghanaian, Indonesian and Swedish nationals.
The Ministry of Defence said the armed forces remain fully prepared to respond decisively to any threats and are continuing operations to safeguard the country’s sovereignty, stability and national interests.
READ ALSO : US Strikes 90 Iranian Military Targets, Trump Urges Allies to Protect Strait of Hormuz
Claims of U.S. launches from UAE
American forces in the region are known to operate from Prince Sultan Air Base, naval carrier strike groups in the Arabian Sea and Red Sea, and the strategic base on Diego Garcia. The UAE also hosts Al Dhafra Air Base, which supports U.S. air operations.
Iran’s warning has heightened concerns across major commercial hubs including Jebel Ali Port and the Port of Fujairah, both critical to global shipping and energy exports.
Analysts say evacuation warning carries strategic message
Economic analyst Anslem said the evacuation call appears to serve broader strategic purposes beyond public safety.
According to him, the warning places psychological pressure on port workers and residents, threatens potential disruption to shipping operations that underpin the UAE’s role as a global trade hub, and diplomatically frames any future strike on port infrastructure as pre-announced.
The escalation comes amid wider regional tensions following U.S. strikes on Iranian military infrastructure linked to operations around Kharg Island.
Analysts say the confrontation has also revived longstanding disputes over sovereignty claims to Abu Musa, which Iran seized in 1971 shortly before the UAE gained independence and which Abu Dhabi continues to claim as its territory.
Despite the sustained missile and drone campaign, Emirati air defences have intercepted the vast majority of incoming projectiles, limiting damage across the country.
Analyst Anslem noted that the latest attack illustrates a widening gap between Tehran’s threats and its operational results, pointing to the 33 drones intercepted during the March 14 assault.
“The threat remains real,” he said, “but the capability behind it appears to be shrinking.”
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
- Amanze Chinonye
