Iranian projectile lands near Australian forces' headquarters

Australia has reported that an Iranian projectile landed near Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, resulting in minor infrastructure damage and a small fire.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that an "Iranian projectile" impacted a road leading to Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates at 2:15 this morning (5:15 Hanoi time). Located 24 km south of Dubai, the base has hosted Australian forces since 2003, serving as the command post for the country's operations in the Middle East.

"The incident caused a small fire and minor damage to a residential building and a medical facility. I can confirm no Australian personnel were injured; everyone is safe," the Australian leader said at a press conference in Tasmania, criticizing Tehran for indiscriminate attacks across the Persian Gulf.

Iran has not commented on the incident. Australia did not specify whether the "projectile" was an unmanned aerial vehicle or a missile.

Australia's Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE. Photo: Nautilus

Australia's Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE. Photo: Nautilus

The base houses over 100 Australian personnel, along with British personnel and a small number of US soldiers. Two E-7A Wedgetail "eye in the sky" aircraft, deployed by Canberra to the Middle East last week, were not at the base when the projectile landed.

This marks the second attack on the base since the US and Israel launched military operations in the Middle East on 28/2. Al Minhad was previously targeted by an Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle during the early days of the conflict.

The United Arab Emirates has been one of Iran's bombing targets in the conflict. The UAE Ministry of Defense estimates that nearly 1,700 drones and missiles attacked the country during the first seven days of hostilities, with approximately 90% of these being intercepted.