The United Arab Emirates has accused Iran of launching two ballistic missiles toward maritime traffic in the Gulf, escalating tensions around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and raising fresh concerns for commercial shipping.
According to the UAE Defence Ministry, its air-defence systems detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran. The ministry later said the missiles were targeting maritime navigation and both ultimately fell into the sea. One reportedly came down outside UAE territorial waters, while the other fell within them.
Iran has rejected the allegation. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei categorically denied that Tehran had launched missiles toward the UAE, describing the accusation as harmful to regional trust and diplomatic efforts.
The incident comes amid a sharp deterioration in maritime security across the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE has already accused Iran of attacking vessels linked to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), including tankers transiting the strategic waterway. No injuries were reported in those incidents.
The latest missile allegations have prompted a significant diplomatic and economic response from Abu Dhabi. The UAE announced that it had suspended trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran until further notice, citing regional escalations that threaten peace and security.
For the shipping industry, the developments add to an increasingly challenging operating environment in the Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical corridor for global energy shipments, and continued attacks or missile threats could further discourage vessel operators from transiting the waterway.
Maritime traffic through Hormuz has already fallen sharply amid the wider US-Iran confrontation and uncertainty over the reopening of the strait. Recent attacks on commercial vessels have increased concerns over vessel safety, insurance costs, routing decisions and energy supply security.
The UAE has called for freedom of navigation and the restoration of safe commercial passage through the strait. However, with Iran maintaining that the waterway will remain closed until broader political conditions are resolved, shipping companies face continued uncertainty over when normal traffic can resume.
The latest escalation could therefore have wider implications for Gulf shipping, oil and gas exports and global supply chains if tensions persist or further maritime incidents occur.