The United Arab Emirates has issued a nationwide missile threat alert. Air defence systems are currently engaging what authorities described as an active missile threat over the country. Residents have been urged to remain indoors and follow official advisories.The UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority asked people not to approach or photograph debris from intercepted missiles.
“Please remain in a safe location and follow official channels for warnings and updates,” the authority said in an official advisory.
The alert comes at a time of heightened instability across the Gulf region, with concerns growing over the security situation around key shipping routes and military activity involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
Authorities in the UAE have not released further operational details about the ongoing interceptions, but officials confirmed that air defence systems were actively responding to the threat.
Amid the escalating military tensions, Iran and the United States are reportedly discussing a tentative one-page framework aimed at pausing hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping.
According to The New York Times, which cited three senior Iranian officials familiar with the negotiations, the proposal under discussion would establish a 30-day pause in fighting while broader talks continue on a long-term agreement.
One of the key sticking points in the negotiations reportedly concerns the future of Iran’s nuclear programme and its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that three US Navy destroyers successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz despite coming under attack.
Trump claimed that while the American warships were not damaged, Iranian attackers suffered significant losses.
In a post on social media, Trump wrote, “Three World Class American Destroyers just transited, very successfully, out of the Strait of Hormuz, under fire. There was no damage done to the three Destroyers, but great damage done to the Iranian attackers.”
His remarks came after the US military said it had carried out strikes on Iranian military targets following attacks on three American destroyers operating in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran, however, accused the United States of initiating the confrontation.
Tehran said US forces attacked two vessels entering the Strait of Hormuz and also launched strikes inside Iranian territory. The US military maintained that its actions were carried out in response to attacks launched by Iran.
Trump also warned of further military action while signalling that Washington remained open to reaching an agreement with Tehran.
“We’ll knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently, in the future, if they don’t get their Deal signed, FAST!” Trump said.
The latest exchange has renewed concerns over the fragile ceasefire that came into effect on April 8, bringing an end to weeks of US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
Despite the truce, both countries have occasionally exchanged fire since the ceasefire took effect on April 7.
There have been fresh attacks carried out by Hezbollah against Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon, notably in regions surrounding Biyyada and Rashaf. According to Hezbollah, the militant organization attacked Israeli forces who were moving through a road nearby Biyyada along with an Israeli base in the city.
An attack was carried out against an Iranian commercial ship carrying the Iranian flag by the U.S. Navy last night, causing injury to ten sailors as five sailors remain missing, according to Iran’s semi-official news agency of Mehr. The attack occurred in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz and the Makran sea region (Oman), as one of the commercial ships in the vicinity of the Minab County waters has come under attack and is burning.
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be meeting the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. It is said that the meeting will take place in efforts to restore ties which have been strained in the recent past by both nations. Marco Rubio has met the Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who discussed various policies, among which include the war against Iran. Giorgia Meloni refers to the war against Iran as illegal and has also criticized the US President Donald Trump for attacking Pope Leo XIV.
Two deaths and injuries of five individuals, whose condition has been assessed as serious, were reported after the Israeli air raids on Toura, a small town in south-eastern Lebanon. Toura residents were forcibly evacuated by Israeli forces, just as some other neighbouring villages in southern Lebanon. All the wounded were admitted to hospitals in Tyre.
Iranian authorities have arrested the oil tanker Ocean Koi because it attempted to disrupt Iran’s oil export activities, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.
Iran has accused the United States of breaching a ceasefire while simultaneously working to advance a United Nations resolution targeting Tehran.
In a statement posted by Iran’s embassy in Japan on X, the move was described as an attempt to “legitimise another round of reckless adventurism” in coordination with regional allies.
China’s foreign ministry confirmed on Friday that an oil products tanker carrying Chinese crew was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, and expressed deep concern about vessels affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
There are Chinese nationals aboard the vessel, but no reported crew casualties so far, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a regular news conference.
A Chinese-owned oil products tanker was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, China’s Caixin reported on Thursday.
The Iran war has significantly disrupted global oil supplies, driving petrol prices in the United States above $4.50 per gallon this week. Despite rising energy costs, the American labour market has so far shown only limited signs of pressure.
A report from the US Labour Department due on Friday is expected to show that the economy added around 65,000 jobs in April, a sharp decline from the 178,000 jobs recorded in March.
Economists, however, say the slowdown in hiring may not be as concerning as it appears.
Israel has issued a fresh evacuation warning for residents living in multiple towns in southern Lebanon, directing them to leave the areas immediately amid escalating tensions involving Hezbollah.
In a statement posted on X, Israeli military Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee called on residents of al-Namriyah, Tayr Filisiya, Hallusiyah, Upper Hallusiyah, Turah and Marakah to evacuate without delay.
“Anyone present near Hezbollah elements, their facilities, and their combat means endangers their life!” Adraee said in the warning message.
Around 1,500 vessels and nearly 20,000 crew members remain stuck in the Gulf following Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, International Maritime Organization chief Arsenio Dominguez said during remarks in Panama.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva cautioned that the ongoing conflict involving Iran could have far-reaching consequences, saying the situation may prove far more damaging than US President Donald Trump anticipates.
Speaking at a press conference after meeting Trump in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Lula said he believes the military action against Iran could escalate beyond current expectations.
“I think the invasion of Iran will cause more damage than he thinks,” Lula said.
Iran’s armed forces reportedly exchanged fire with the United States on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media, marking a major escalation in tensions in the Gulf region.
Qeshm, the largest Iranian island in the Gulf with a population of nearly 150,000 people, is also home to a key water desalination plant, the Associated Press reported.
Iranian state media further claimed that loud explosions and what it described as “defensive fire” were heard in western Tehran amid the ongoing hostilities.
Flights arriving in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have reportedly been placed on hold after air raid alerts were sounded across the UAE amid the ongoing Iranian attack. Authorities activated emergency protocols as the situation escalated, with airspace operations facing temporary disruptions.
After several hours of relative calm under a fragile ceasefire, fresh signs of escalation emerged in Iran late at night, particularly in the capital city of Tehran.
Reports indicated that Iran’s air defence systems were activated, while state-run news agency IRNA confirmed that two explosions were heard in Tehran.
In southern Iran, authorities in the city of Minab confirmed attacks targeting a maritime base. Multiple explosions were also reported from Bandar Abbas.
Global crude oil prices dropped sharply in early trading on Thursday as optimism surrounding a potential peace agreement eased market concerns, though losses were later trimmed.
The international benchmark, Brent crude, settled slightly above the $100 mark at $100.06 per barrel, registering a decline of 1.2%.
However, prices rebounded later in the session. Brent crude futures climbed $1.41, or 1.41%, to reach $101.47 per barrel by 0123 GMT. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained $1.12, or 1.18%, to trade at $95.93 per barrel. Both oil benchmarks had initially jumped more than 3% when markets opened.
The United Arab Emirates has announced a countrywide missile threat warning amid ongoing aerial security concerns. Authorities confirmed that air defence systems are actively intercepting what has been described as an incoming missile threat over UAE airspace.
The UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority has advised residents to stay indoors, rely only on official updates, and avoid approaching or taking photographs of debris resulting from intercepted projectiles.
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