US-Israel-Iran war: UAE schools switch to remote learning amid renewed Iranian attacks; Iran blames U.S for strikes; Latest updates

UAE air defenses activated again as new missile threat detected

The UAE authorities issued a fresh alert confirming that air defense systems are actively responding to a new missile threat, urging residents to remain in safe locations and follow official channels for warnings and updates.

Hegseth clarifies Project Freedom is separate from Operation Epic Fury, describes mission as defensive and temporary

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed that President Trump has directed CENTCOM to restore the free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz under Project Freedom, drawing a clear distinction between the escort operation and the separately named Operation Epic Fury.

He described Project Freedom as defensive in nature, limited in scope, and temporary in duration, with a single stated mission of protecting innocent commercial shipping from Iranian aggression.

Hegseth announces ‘Red, White, and Blue Dome’ over Strait of Hormuz as U.S. enforces blockade on Iranian vessels

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the establishment of what he called a “Red, White, and Blue Dome” over the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as a direct gift from the United States to the world.

He said American destroyers are on station, backed by hundreds of fighter jets, helicopters, drones, and surveillance aircraft providing round-the-clock overwatch for peaceful commercial vessels – explicitly excluding Iranian ships, which remain subject to the U.S. naval blockade he said remains in full effect.

USS George H.W. Bush carrier with 60+ aircraft joins Hormuz operations as U.S. enforces Iranian blockade

U.S. Central Command confirmed that the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, carrying more than 60 aircraft, is operating in the Arabian Sea as American forces enforce the naval blockade against Iran from the Gulf of Oman while simultaneously supporting Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz.

Irish foreign minister condemns Iranian attacks on UAE, calls for ceasefire preservation and freedom of navigation

Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee condemned the Iranian missile and drone strikes on the UAE, urging all parties to preserve the ceasefire in the Gulf.

She called for the restoration of freedom of navigation and respect for international law, and stressed that dialogue and diplomacy are essential to achieving lasting peace and regional security.

Bahrain’s king calls UAE president to condemn Iranian attacks and affirm full solidarity

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa called UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to personally condemn the Iranian attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in the UAE, describing them as a violation of Emirati sovereignty and international law that undermines regional security and stability.

He reaffirmed Bahrain’s full solidarity with the UAE and support for all measures taken to protect its sovereignty, security, and people. The two leaders also discussed the broader implications of the latest developments for regional and international security.

Pakistani embassy in Abu Dhabi resumes passport services for UAE-based community

The Pakistani Embassy in Abu Dhabi announced that passport services have been resumed, informing Pakistani nationals residing in the UAE that they may visit the embassy during specified hours to apply for passport renewal or issuance.

South Korean foreign minister confirms vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz, vows to secure crew’s safe return

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun confirmed that a South Korean vessel was caught up in an explosion and fire incident in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the ministry convened an emergency strategy meeting with ambassadors to relevant countries that ran past midnight.

He said Seoul is working across ministries to ensure crew safety, identify the cause of the incident, and maintain close communication with all relevant parties, pledging to pursue every available measure to secure the safe return of the vessel and its crew.

Pakistani PM Shehbaz condemns Iranian attacks on UAE, urges ceasefire be upheld to allow diplomacy

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the missile and drone strikes on civilian infrastructure in the UAE, expressing full solidarity with President Mohamed bin Zayed and the Emirati people.

He stressed that upholding and respecting the ceasefire is absolutely essential to create the diplomatic space needed for dialogue and lasting peace and stability in the region – a notable statement given Pakistan’s concurrent role as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran.

UAE media chief rallies nation amid Iranian attacks: ‘The UAE does not merely endure crises – it transforms them’

Abdulla Mohammed Butti Alhamed, Chairman of the UAE National Media Authority, issued a defiant message of national unity in the wake of the Iranian attacks, praising the country’s exceptional resilience and crediting President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for making leadership a methodology and resilience a national ethos.

He declared that the UAE does not simply weather storms but uses them as a force for growth, emerging from every test stronger and clearer in vision.

Addressing the country’s diverse population, he said that in times of hardship the nation’s unique human fabric proves that everyone living on Emirati soil is Emirati in spirit and action – a message, he said, to the entire world.

Gargash says global condemnation of Iran confirms Tehran is the aggressor and source of Gulf instability

UAE Presidential Adviser Anwar Gargash expressed appreciation for the wave of solidarity messages from Gulf, Arab, and international partners, saying they reflect the international community’s commitment to a rules-based order that rejects and isolates rogue behaviour.

He argued that the breadth and unanimity of global condemnation firmly establishes Iran as the aggressor party responsible for escalating the Arabian Gulf crisis and the primary source of threat to its security and stability.

IRGC declares no vessel may transit Strait of Hormuz without Iranian authorisation

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) formally declared that no vessel will be permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without explicit Iranian authorization, according to state news agency IRNA.

Modi condemns Iranian attacks on UAE, flags injury of three Indian nationals and calls for Hormuz navigation guarantee

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the attacks on the UAE, specifically flagging that three Indian nationals were among the injured and calling the targeting of civilians and infrastructure unacceptable.

He expressed firm solidarity with the UAE, called for peaceful resolution of all issues through dialogue and diplomacy, and stressed that safe and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is essential for regional peace, stability, and global energy security.

Iranian parliament speaker warns U.S.: ‘We have not even begun yet’ as Hormuz equation solidifies

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared that a new equation is being cemented in the Strait of Hormuz, blaming the United States and its allies for jeopardizing shipping and energy transit through what he called a ceasefire violation and illegal blockade.

In a pointed warning, he told Washington that the continuation of the current situation is intolerable for America, adding ominously that Iran has not yet begun to act in full.

Al Mulla warns Iranian control of Hormuz could trigger domino effect on global shipping chokepoints

Dubai legal figure Dr. Habib Al Mulla cautioned that tolerating Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz would set a dangerous precedent with far-reaching consequences, warning that other strategic chokepoints – from the Strait of Malacca to Bab el-Mandeb – could follow.

He argued that at that point, the world would no longer be dealing with isolated violations but with the systematic unravelling of the global free navigation order.

Iran denies striking UAE, blames U.S. military adventurism and warns Abu Dhabi against ‘unwise action’: Reports

Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB quoted an unnamed military source denying any pre-planned programme to attack oil facilities in the UAE, attributing the incidents instead to U.S. military adventurism aimed at forcing illegal ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz, and declaring that Washington must be held accountable.

In a separate development, the semi-official Tasnim news agency cited another unnamed source warning that if the UAE takes what it called unwise action, all of its interests would become targets for Iran.

Muslim World League condemns Iranian attacks on UAE as violations of religious values and international law

The Muslim World League’s Secretary-General Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa condemned the Iranian strikes on civilian and economic facilities in the UAE, describing them as criminal acts that violate religious values, international law, and humanitarian norms.

He expressed the MWL’s full solidarity with the UAE and backed all measures it takes to protect its security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents.

UK PM Starmer condemns Iranian strikes on UAE, demands Iran engage in meaningful negotiations

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the Iranian drone and missile strikes on the UAE, affirming the UK’s solidarity with Abu Dhabi and its commitment to supporting the defence of Gulf partners.

He called on Iran to engage meaningfully in negotiations to preserve the Middle East ceasefire and work toward a long-term diplomatic solution, warning that the current escalation must stop.

Canadian PM Carney condemns Iranian attacks on UAE, calls for de-escalation

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney strongly condemned Iran’s missile and drone strikes on the UAE as unprovoked, expressing solidarity with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed and the Emirati people.

He commended the UAE’s defensive efforts to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and reiterated Canada’s call for de-escalation and diplomacy in the region.

Saudi Arabia urges de-escalation, backs Pakistan mediation, calls for Hormuz to return to pre-February 28 status

The Saudi foreign ministry expressed serious concern over the military escalation in the region, backing Pakistan’s mediation efforts and urging all parties toward a political solution.

Riyadh stressed the need to restore international freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to its natural state as it existed before February 28, ensuring safe and unimpeded passage for all vessels.