ISTANBUL

The United Arab Emirates’ air defenses intercepted and destroyed nine ballistic missiles detected on Friday, while also tracking 112 drones, most of which were intercepted, the Defense Ministry said.

“Air defense systems intercepted 109 of the drones, while three crashed inside the country,” the ministry said in a statement on the US social media platform X.

“Since the start of blatant Iranian aggression, air defenses have detected 205 ballistic missiles, destroying 190 of them. Thirteen fell into the sea, while two landed inside the country,” the ministry added.

Authorities also detected 1,184 Iranian drones and intercepted 1,110 of them, while 74 drones crashed within the country. Air defenses also detected and destroyed eight cruise missiles, the ministry said.

The attacks have resulted in three deaths involving Pakistani, Nepalese and Bangladeshi nationals, while 112 people sustained minor injuries, according to the statement.

The ministry said it remains on high alert and ready to confront any threats, pledging to respond firmly to actions targeting the country’s security and stability while safeguarding its sovereignty and national interests.

Iran has targeted Israel many Gulf countries that host US bases in retaliation for continuing US-Israel attacks that killed its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and many senior commanders.