Dubai–Abu Dhabi updates: UAE responds to incoming missile threat; Iran threatens to strike energy system of Gulf areas

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Unstable weather is likely to continue across the United Arab Emirates today and in the coming days, with forecasts indicating cloud cover, scattered rainfall, strong winds and the possibility of thunderstorms as a low-pressure system impacts the country, local media reported.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology, the country is currently under the influence of a surface low-pressure system along with an upper-air extension, creating favourable conditions for cloud formation and rain.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: The UAE said it faced aerial attacks from Iran after the nation warned against allowing strikes from disputed islands near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The islands of Abu Musa and Greater Tunb, controlled by Iran but claimed by the UAE, have long been a source of dispute between the two countries.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Thousands of Muslims gathered to offer Eid al-Fitr prayers in Iran on Saturday, marking the end of the Ramadan fast, as the war in West Asia continued, according to local media.

Iran, which has a majority Shia population, observed the end of Ramadan a day later than most other Muslim countries, which are largely Sunni.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Videos showed large fireballs hitting the southern Israeli town of Dimona, which is home to a nuclear facility, as Iran launched missiles in what was the first time that the missiles breached Israel’s air defence systems in the area around the nuclear site.

More than 100 people were injured in Iranian strikes on the southern cities of Dimona and Arad after Israeli air defences failed to stop at least two ballistic missiles, medics said. This was the first incident where Iranian missiles went through air defences near the nuclear site. Watch the video here.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: A projectile struck close to a bulk carrier off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, causing an explosion, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said early Sunday.

The attack occurred about 15 nautical miles north of Sharjah in the UAE.

The UKMTO said the ship’s crew was safe.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry said it has intercepted and brought down four more drones over the Eastern Province.

The statement came hours after it confirmed that a ballistic missile had been shot down over Riyadh.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: The United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems are actively responding to incoming missile and drone threats launched from Iran. Since the beginning of the war, the UAE has dealt with 341 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,748 drones.

“MOD asserts that the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones,” the statement from UAE's ministry of defence said.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: The head of the World Health Organization has warned that the worsening conflict across West Asia is putting public health and safety at serious risk, after recent strikes on the United Arab Emirates and other Arab countries.

In a post on X, Who Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he met Ambassador Jamal Al Musharakh, the United Arab Emirates’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva. During the meeting, they spoke about the broad health impact of the ongoing conflict in the United Arab Emirates and the wider region.

"In the UAE, missile strikes have reportedly killed eight people and injured 158. In Oman, at least two people have died as a result of a missile strike, while in Kuwait two paramedics were injured by shrapnel that struck their ambulance centre.

Energy facilities have come under attack across the region, including in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. There are also growing concerns in the Emirates and across the region that strikes on such sites could cause respiratory issues linked to breathing toxic smoke from fires. Damage to desalination plants also threatens water supplies, while people’s mental health is placed under increased strain as communities cope with the stress of living under the risk of bombardment," Ghebreyesus said.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: A British nuclear-powered submarine equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles has taken position in the Arabian Sea, giving Britain the capability to launch long-range strikes if regional conflict escalates, the Daily Mail reported on Saturday.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: The United Arab Emirates said it faced aerial attacks from Iran after the Islamic Republic warned its neighbour against allowing strikes from disputed islands near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The islands of Abu Musa and Greater Tunb, which are controlled by Iran but claimed by the UAE, have long been a source of dispute between the two countries.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Rescuers were searching for the crew and passengers of a Qatari military helicopter that crashed in the Gulf state's waters after a "technical malfunction", the government said early Sunday.

"A Qatari helicopter had a technical malfunction during a routine duty, which led to its crash in the regional waters of the State," Qatar's defence ministry said in a statement posted to X. "Searching operation for its crew members and passengers is in progress."

The interior ministry said that several specialised teams have been deployed.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry said it detected three missiles launched towards Riyadh, of which one was intercepted while two landed in an uninhabited area.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, a significant escalation barely a day after he talked about "winding down" the war.

"If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" Trump said on social media.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: The United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems intercepted three ballistic missiles and eight drones launched from Iran on Saturday (March 21).

Since the beginning of the war, UAE air defences have dealt with 341 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,748 drones.