The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Defense announced that its air defense forces countered 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and 4 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Iran on 4/5. The incident resulted in three moderately injured people.

Officials from the UAE's Fujairah emirate confirmed that three Indian citizens were injured after a UAV attack targeted an oil port.

Iron dome launchers deployed in Sderot, Israel in 2023. *Photo: AFP*

CNN, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that an iron dome system, secretly deployed by Israel to the UAE early in the Middle East conflict, participated in intercepting Iranian missiles on 4/5. The number of targets the system shot down remains unclear.

Two informed sources previously told The New York Times that this marks the first known deployment of the iron dome system in an Arab nation. This reflects the close relationship Israel has cultivated with the UAE since the two countries agreed to normalize relations in 2020.

Bilateral relations have been maintained, even after Israel faced strong criticism from Arab nations for launching an offensive in the Gaza Strip in late 2023.

Israeli officials have not commented on the reports.

The iron dome forms the innermost layer of Israel's multi-layered air defense system. It specializes in intercepting slow, low-flying targets with predictable trajectories, such as rockets, mortar shells, and low-altitude UAVs. Over the years, Israel has upgraded the iron dome's radar and missiles, providing the system with limited capability to counter ballistic missiles.

Despite these upgrades, it is not a dedicated ballistic missile interceptor. It is primarily used as a last resort when mid-range and long-range systems have been breached.

Israel's multi-layered air defense network. *Click image for full view.*

The 4/5 attack was the first targeting UAE territory since a US-Iran ceasefire took effect in early April. Iran stated it had no plans to attack the UAE, attributing the events to "a consequence of reckless US military actions aimed at creating illegal passage for ships in the Strait of Hormuz."

President Donald Trump announced on 3/5 the launch of "Operation Freedom Project," a humanitarian effort where US forces would assist vessels departing the Gulf to help crews stranded by conflict.

The US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on 4/5 that it had deployed destroyers into the Persian Gulf, supporting the safe passage of the first two US-flagged cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) later denied this information.

Pham Giang (According to CNN, The New York Times, AFP)