UAE, Bahrain activate air defences as US-Iran conflict spills across Gulf

Missile and drone threats prompted the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to activate air defence systems on Sunday as regional tensions escalated after the US launched another round of strikes on Iran following an attack in the Strait of Hormuz. Authorities in both Gulf nations urged residents to remain alert as defensive operations continued.

The UAE's Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems were responding to incoming missile and drone threats.

According to the ministry, sounds heard across the country "are the result of ongoing engaging operations of missiles and UAVs".

In neighbouring Bahrain, the Interior Ministry activated air raid sirens and urged citizens and residents to remain calm while heading to the nearest safe location.

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Gulf countries respond to aerial threats

Qatar and Bahrain also engaged missiles and drones on Sunday morning as air raid sirens sounded across parts of the Gulf to warn residents of the unfolding security situation.

The latest alert in the UAE marked the country's first nationwide emergency warning since May 4, ending a 69-day gap.

On May 4, authorities activated air defences in response to aerial threats, with the Ministry of Defence similarly attributing loud sounds across the country to interception operations.

Although many residents also received an alert on June 26, officials later clarified that it resulted from a technical glitch and was unrelated to any security incident.

US-Iran tensions intensify after Hormuz incident

The regional security alert followed the US military's announcement that it had launched another round of strikes on Iran after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck a container ship travelling through the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.

The latest exchanges came after several days of attacks between the US and Iran, prompting President Donald Trump to declare the ceasefire intended to halt the fighting that the US and Israel began on February 28 had ended while saying negotiations could still continue.

Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of tensions

Iran said it had closed the Strait of Hormuz after firing a warning shot that struck a vessel travelling on what it described as an unapproved route. It also warned that any retaliation over the incident would receive a "severe response".

US Central Command identified the vessel as M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship, saying it sustained significant engine-room damage and that one civilian crew member was missing.