ISTANBUL

The United Arab Emirates said Saturday that its air defense forces were responding to a new wave of missiles and drones launched from Iran.

"UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran," the UAE Defense Ministry wrote on US social media company X.

The sounds heard across the country "are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones," the ministry said.

The US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on Feb. 28, with Tehran retaliating with repeated drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

Iran has also effectively closed to most ships the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit route that normally handles about 20 million barrels per day and roughly 20% of global liquefied natural gas trade.