The United Arab Emirates has rejected Iran’s claims that drones attacked Al-Menhad Air Base.
On 31 August, in a social media post, the UAE Ministry of Defence described these reports as ‘false’ and emphasised that the country’s armed forces remain on ‘high alert’, to respond to any threats and safeguard the country’s security and stability.
Al-Menhad Air Base, also known as Menhad Base, is located approximately 24 kilometres south of Dubai and is used by the UAE Air Force.
Later, in a separate post on X, the ministry stated that the country’s air force “had dealt with a drone over the state’s territorial waters, which had flown in from Iran”. The ministry did not provide any further details.
The day before, the Iranian army reported an attack on Al-Menhad Air Base by “dozens of destructive drones” on 31 August.
The semi-official Iranian news agency ISNA, citing military sources, reported that the strike on the airbase was in response to the killing of “Iranian military personnel and civilians” on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the Iranian military, “helicopter and troop positions” belonging to the US military were hit at the base.
The UAE is one of the Gulf states that Iran has regularly targeted with missiles and drones since the end of February, following the outbreak of the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.