For the first time in a month and a half: sirens in the UAE due to a "missile threat"
Towards an escalation in the Gulf? Amid growing frustration in the region over Donald Trump's conduct, sirens were heard in the UAE - for the first time since July 12.
The UAE announced today, Tuesday, that it is dealing with a "missile threat" against it. Sirens were activated in Dubai for the first time in a month and a half. The UAE's National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority called on residents to remain in a safe place and follow instructions via official channels. About half an hour after the alerts were issued, the Emirati Ministry of Interior updated that "the situation is safe."
US President Donald Trump published earlier on his Truth Social network an "annexation map" for the Strait of Hormuz, after threatening to declare the strategic shipping lane as American territory. He later wrote:
"There are no talks with Iran, and none are planned. The naval blockade remains in full force. The Strait of Hormuz is open and functioning. All naval mines have been removed or neutralized."
Trump contradicted the words of his son-in-law and special envoy, Jared Kushner, who said that the talks the administration is holding with parts of the Iranian regime are the "best ever" — a statement that was sharply rejected in Iran and by the Revolutionary Guards, who said that "this lie of Trump is merely a fantasy that struck him due to illusions resulting from defeat and despair in the war."
The Wall Street Journal reported about two weeks ago that the UAE had lobbied US President Donald Trump to launch a broad attack against Iran. This is in contrast to other countries, such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, which urged him to cancel it. As recalled, Trump seriously considered, at least according to reports, attacking facilities and infrastructure in Iran — but ultimately decided not to do so.
