DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Defense officials in the United Arab Emirates confirmed Friday morning that the nation’s air defense systems were “actively engaging” incoming missiles and drones, marking another test of the fragile truce between the U.S. and Iran.
UAE defense authorities warned citizens to stay away from any fallen debris and urged people not to photograph or handle “any debris or fragments that have fallen as a result of successful air interceptions.”
The attack came just hours after American military forces reported stopping Iranian assaults on three U.S. Navy vessels in the Strait of Hormuz late Thursday, with the military subsequently striking back at “Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces.”
According to U.S. Central Command’s social media statement, American forces successfully defended against “unprovoked Iranian attacks” and launched defensive counterstrikes in response.
Military officials confirmed that none of the American ships sustained damage during the encounter. The U.S. military emphasized it does not want to escalate tensions but “remains positioned and ready to protect American forces.”
Speaking to media in Washington, President Donald Trump maintained that the ceasefire was still intact despite the recent violence.
The fragile peace agreement between Washington and Tehran has mostly survived since taking effect on April 8. Diplomatic efforts last month in Pakistan, where representatives from both nations met face-to-face, failed to produce a lasting resolution to the conflict that started February 28 when American and Israeli forces conducted joint military operations against Iranian targets.
