The United Arab Emirates came under renewed attack from Iranian drones this morning, further straining the fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran.
There were no immediate reports of damage in the UAE from the Iranian strikes, but the country’s defence ministry advised people not to approach, photograph or touch ‘any debris or fragments that have fallen as a result of successful air interceptions.’
In a post on X, the ministry said: ‘The UAE’s air defences are currently dealing with missile and drone attacks originating from Iran, and the Ministry of Defense confirms that the sounds heard in various parts of the country are the result of the UAE air defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.’
Iran has frequently struck the UAE and other Gulf nations that host US military bases in retaliatory attacks since the beginning of the war on February 28.
The latest attack on the UAE comes as oil prices rose by 4.1 per cent to around $100 a barrel today from $96 on Thursday.
But despite the uptick, Brent crude has overall fallen by around 7 per cent from $108 a week ago due to hopes that the US and Iran are closing in on a deal to end the war and restore shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that Iran has all but closed in a bid to pressure the global economy.
However, it is not entirely clear how close the two sides are to dealing with issues like Iran’s nuclear programme, which the US and Israel have vowed to halt when they launched the war on February 28.
US President Donald Trump has played down the exchange of fire between Tehran and the US Navy yesterday, after his military intercepted an Iranian attack on three Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The United Arab Emirates responded to a missile and drone attack early this morning. Pictured: Tugboats guide the crude oil tanker Odessa, carrying UAE crude after passing through the Strait of Hormuz with its Automatic Identification System transponder turned off, navigates the waters at Daesan port, where it is expected to discharge crude oil, in Seosan, South Korea, May 8, 2026
Iranian navy fires a missile, at an unknown location, in this still image taken from a video released May 8, 2026
US Central Command said in a social media post that American forces intercepted ‘unprovoked Iranian attacks’ and responded with self-defence strikes.
The US military said no ships were hit. It said it doesn’t seek escalation but ‘remains positioned and ready to protect American forces.’
In a phone call with a reporter for ABC, Trump called the retaliatory strikes against Iran ‘just a love tap’.
He insisted the ceasefire is holding, and a deal could come ‘any day’, but reiterated threats of bombing if Tehran does not accept a deal that allows for resumption of oil and natural gas shipments disrupted by the conflict.
‘They have to understand: If it doesn’t get signed, they’re going to have a lot of pain,’ he told reporters in Washington.
Iranian state media said the country’s forces exchanged fire with ‘the enemy’ on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. It also reported loud noises and continuous defensive fire in western Tehran late on Thursday night.
The ceasefire between the US and Iran has largely held since April 8.
In-person talks between the two countries, hosted by Pakistan last month, failed to reach an agreement to end the war that began over two months ago when the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran.
Trump has insisted the ceasefire with Iran is holding despite exchanging fire on the Strait of Hormuz this week
Explosions rocked Qeshm Island in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz on Thursday
Hours earlier, the US military said it had intercepted Iranian attacks on three Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday night and ‘targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking US forces’.
US Central Command said in a social media post that US forces intercepted ‘unprovoked Iranian attacks’ and responded with self-defence strikes.
The American military said no ships were hit. It said it does not seek escalation but ‘remains positioned and ready to protect American forces’.
Mr Trump told reporters that the ceasefire was holding despite the violence.
Pakistani foreign minister Ishaq Dar spoke by phone on Thursday with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, officials said.
‘We expect an agreement sooner rather than later,’ Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said.
‘We hope the parties will reach a peaceful and sustainable solution that will contribute not only to peace in our region but to international peace as well.’
He declined to give a timeline.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking in televised remarks, said Islamabad remained in ‘continuous contact with Iran and the United States, day and night, to stop the war and extend the ceasefire’.