DUBAI, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Defense of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said on Monday that its air defense systems were responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran.

A smoke plume rises over Abu Dhabi from the site of an Iranian missile strike on February 28, 2026. (File photo: AFP)

In a post on social media platform X, the ministry said the sounds heard in various parts of the country were the result of air defense systems intercepting missiles and drones.

The message was later reposted by the UAE Ministry of Interior.