The United Arab Emirates announced that its air force and air defense forces successfully intercepted and destroyed 137 ballistic missiles and 209 drones launched by Iran. The Ministry of Defence revealed that most of the missiles were destroyed, with a few falling into the sea. Additionally, the drones were intercepted, but some managed to land within the UAE, causing limited damage.
Debris from the intercepted drones caused minor material damage to civilian facilities in scattered areas. Authorities in Abu Dhabi responded to an incident at Zayed International Airport where a drone interception resulted in one fatality and seven injuries. The General Civil Aviation Authority activated contingency plans to manage the impact of the attack and ensure the aviation sector’s continuity.
Following the incident, around 20,200 travelers were affected by flight rescheduling, with the GCAA providing temporary lodging, meals, and rebooking services. In a separate event, a fire erupted on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, suspected to be caused by debris from Iranian missiles. Reports indicated injuries from explosions in the area, with four individuals hurt.
Iran’s state media confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli attacks. The Iranian government declared a 40-day mourning period following the leader’s reported demise. Sources from Iran’s Fars News Agency mentioned that four of Khamenei’s relatives, including his daughter, grandchild, and son-in-law, were also killed in the strikes.
