UAE Halts All Trade With Iran After Missile Alert (Img: X)
New Delhi: The United Arab Emirates has suspended all trade activities, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions with Iran until further notice, as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East.
The UAE Foreign Ministry announced the decision on Tuesday, saying the move was taken in response to “regional escalations” that threaten regional and international peace and security.
UAE Foreign Ministry communications director Afra Al Hameli said the country remains committed to protecting the global financial system and following international laws and standards.
The UAE’s decision came shortly after the country accused Iran of launching two ballistic missiles toward its territory. According to the UAE Defence Ministry, both missiles fell into the sea- one inside UAE territorial waters and another outside them.
Director of the Strategic Communications Department at MoFA: All Trade, Commercial Exchange, and Financial Transactions with Iran Halted
The Director of the Strategic Communications Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Afra Al Hameli, rejected all allegations…
— Afra Al Hameli (@AfraMalHameli) August 18, 2026
Officials said initial assessments suggested that the missiles were likely aimed at maritime traffic in the region. However, Iran rejected the allegations. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei denied that Tehran had launched any missiles toward the UAE and called for countries in the region to avoid making what he described as “baseless accusations.”
The development triggered a security alert in Dubai, where residents received warnings about a possible missile threat. UAE authorities later confirmed that the situation was safe after air defence systems responded to the incoming threat.
The incident has added to growing concerns over security in the Gulf region, especially around the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy routes, has become a major flashpoint amid rising tensions. A significant portion of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passes through this narrow waterway.
Recent attacks on commercial vessels and rising military tensions have raised concerns about shipping disruptions and energy market stability.
