Iran has pounded the UAE with missiles and drones—more than any other country except Israel—in what appears to be retaliation for US and Israeli strikes.

Rare Onslaught

The UAE's Defence Ministry reports a relentless wave of aerial attacks. By March 12, the thirteenth day of the current conflict, official tallies showed air defences had intercepted 268 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and an astonishing 1,514 drones. Despite intercepting over 90% of incoming threats, the UAE still suffered six deaths and 131 injuries.

The UAE's been hit far harder than Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or Bahrain—which have faced hundreds of strikes. The scale of attacks on the UAE is almost comparable to those faced by Israel, which has encountered over 1,000 missiles and drones from Iran in the last fortnight.

Still, the constant barrage has upended daily life. People in Dubai and Abu Dhabi hear explosions constantly as air defenses shoot down incoming missiles. Missile alarms go off at all hours. Key infrastructure and civilian areas haven't been spared, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports, residential buildings, hotels, the Dubai International Financial Centre, and the U.S. Consulate in Dubai all being targeted. The vital Jebel Ali Port in Dubai also saw a plume of smoke rise following a reported Iranian strike on March 1.

A Strategic Bullseye

For Iran, hitting the UAE serves multiple purposes. It pressures Washington, which has major military bases there.

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It disrupts global trade through ports like Jebel Ali.

The strikes shake confidence in a country that's marketed itself as a stable bridge between East and West. By hitting the UAE's financial centers and airports, Iran tests whether the country can maintain its image as a global hub.

Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a prominent Emirati academic and political scientist, observed that there's no clear, straightforward answer as to why the UAE has been targeted more heavily than any other country in the region. He suggested the more significant narrative was how effectively the UAE had managed its defence against such a sustained assault.

The American Alliance and Defence Posture

The US-UAE partnership is key to understanding why Iran's targeting the Emirates. The US made the UAE a major defense partner in 2024, expanding ties on military, AI, and investment issues. There's no question where the UAE stands in regional security.

Trump visited the UAE early in his second term last May, signaling how important the relationship is. That's why US military bases in the UAE have become targets. On March 7, the Al Dhafra Air Base, located approximately 32 kilometres south of Abu Dhabi, came under Iranian drone and missile strikes. Al Dhafra hosts the US 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, French forces, and about 3,500 American troops—making it a key hub for regional air ops and intelligence.

Disruptions and the Human Cost

The constant attacks have caused chaos beyond the explosions themselves. A drone strike on Dubai airport caused flight cancellations. Emirates, the national carrier, confirmed it had suspended flights from Dubai as a safety precaution, stressing that the well-being of its passengers and crew remained its paramount concern. This necessity for such measures shows the serious operational challenges posed by the ongoing threats.

For a country dependent on trade, tourism, and finance, this instability is devastating. Hitting the Dubai Financial Centre and Jebel Ali Port sends a message to global investors: the UAE isn't safe. Then there's the human toll: six dead, 131 injured, and people living in constant fear of missile alarms.

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The UAE's Defense Ministry keeps updating casualty figures as Iranian attacks continue.

This article was created with AI assistance.