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

Smoke rises from the direction of an energy installation in the Gulf emirate of Fujairah on March 14.

Dubai Abu Dhabi highlights: UAE on Monday morning said that its air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. The Ministry of Defence in an X post said that the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones. Follow here for live updates on Dubai-Abu Dhabi

Iran on Sunday warned that it would strike the energy and water systems of its Gulf neighbours in retaliation if US President Donald Trump follows through with a threat delivered a day earlier to hit Iran's electricity grid in 48 hours, escalating the three-week-old war.

Iran isued fresh warning to the US and Israel and those supporting them during the war in the Middle East, also known as West Asia. Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian, on X, wrote that Iran is not afraid of threats and said that Strait of Hormuz is open to all except those who are violating its soil.

The UAE said its air defence systems are continuosly responding to incoming missile and drone threats launched from Iran. The ministry of defence said later on Sunday that it intercepted 25 drones and 4 ballistic missiles launched by Iran. At the same time, Iran has reacted strongly to the joint statement issued by 22 countries on Saturday.

In the joint statement, the countries, mostly from Europe and including UAE, had condemned Iran closing the Hormuz and stopping gas and fuel supplies to the world. Responding to this, Iran said the situation was normal when there was no aggression from the US and Israeli forces and that it was Iran which continued to show restrain. For the normalcy to return, the countries needed to ask Israel and the US to stop the aggression.

Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) secretary-general strongly criticised what he described as continued Iranian attacks on Gulf countries.

Authorities in the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, which shares its name with the UAE’s sixth-largest city, said later on Saturday that the "sounds heard across parts of the city were the result of successful air defence interception operations".

Iran has accused Gulf countries of allowing US forces to launch attacks from their territory, and has carried out missile and drone strikes on what it describes as American interests in those countries during the conflict.

Gulf nations have repeatedly rejected these claims, stating even before the conflict that they would not permit their land or airspace to be used for attacks on Iran.

Saudi Arabia, in a statement condemning the "repeated Iranian attacks", said it "decided to declare persona non grata the military attache" of Iran along with three other embassy officials, giving them 24 hours to leave the country, the foreign ministry said.

UAE intercepts Iranian missiles, drones

The United Arab Emirates said its air defences responded to Iranian aerial attacks on Sunday.

"UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran," the defence ministry said in a statement, explaining "the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones".

On Saturday, the UAE joined 21 other countries in agreeing to contribute to efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz passageway in the Gulf.

Projectile hits vessel near UAE's Sharjah: UK agency

A projectile caused an explosion near a bulk carrier off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, a British maritime monitor said on Sunday, noting there were no injuries reported.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it received a report of an incident 15 nautical miles (28 kilometres) north of Sharjah that a "Bulk Carrier reported an explosion from an unknown projectile in close proximity to the vessel".

"All crew are reported safe," it added.

Dubai-Abu Dhabi-UAE flight status news

Air India and Air India Express will run 50 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from West Asia on March 22.

Both airlines will continue regular services to Jeddah and Muscat that day, including 20 flights between India and Jeddah. Air India will operate return flights from Delhi and Mumbai, while Air India Express will fly from Bengaluru and Mangalore, along with two services from Kozhikode. Air India Express will also operate 8 scheduled flights to and from Muscat, linking cities such as Delhi, Kochi, Mumbai, and Kannur.

In addition, the airlines will operate 30 non-scheduled flights to and from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, depending on slot availability and operational conditions at departure airports. These flights will run with the required approvals from theIndian and local aviation authorities.

Patriot missile in Bahrain blast likely US-operated, says report

The Patriot air defence battery, operated by the United States, was likely behind the interceptor missile that hit Bahrain ten days into the war and injured dozens of civilians, Reuters reported.

Both Bahrain and the US have blamed Iran for the March 9 explosion. However, Bahrain on Saturday reportedly told Reuters that a Patriot missile was involved in the blast over the Mahazza neighbourhood on Sitra island.