By The South Asia Times

DUBAI – The United Arab Emirates said Friday that its air defense systems had intercepted two ballistic missiles and three drones launched from Iran, with the incursions resulting in three moderate injuries.

In a statement, the Defense Ministry said the interceptions took place amid what it described as "blatant Iranian attacks on the United Arab Emirates," according to Anadolu Agency.

The ministry disclosed striking cumulative figures since the start of US-Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28: UAE air defenses have intercepted a total of 551 ballistic missiles, 29 cruise missiles, and 2,263 drones.

According to the ministry, the attacks have killed 13 people since the end of February, including a Moroccan contractor working with the armed forces and 10 civilians of multiple nationalities. The total number of injuries has reached 230, involving multiple nationalities.

The ministry did not provide a breakdown of nationalities among the casualties.

Friday's interception marks the third time this week that the UAE has announced it had thwarted missile and drone attacks launched from Iran. The Defense Ministry said it remains "fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats" and would firmly confront anything aimed at undermining the country's security, sovereignty, and stability.

However, the Iranian army said Tuesday that it had not carried out any attacks on the UAE in recent days. No immediate comment was issued from Tehran regarding Friday's reported attacks.

The conflicting claims highlight the fog of war in the Gulf, where multiple actors and air defense systems make attribution difficult.

Regional tensions have sharply escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, triggering Iranian retaliation against Israel and American allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz -- a vital waterway through which nearly a fifth of global oil production passes.

The UAE, a key US ally in the Gulf, hosts American military assets and has become a frequent target of Iranian retaliation, according to Emirati officials.

A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, though negotiations in Islamabad failed to produce a permanent agreement. Former US President Donald Trump later announced an extension of the truce without setting a deadline.

Despite the ceasefire, low-level attacks have continued. The US has maintained a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the strait since April 13, while Iran has imposed its own permitting system for ship transits.

The UAE's latest statement raises questions about the durability of the ceasefire. With 13 confirmed deaths and hundreds of intercepts recorded over two months, the Gulf nation is effectively describing a state of ongoing -- albeit defensive -- war.

The Defense Ministry's detailed tally of 551 ballistic missiles, 29 cruise missiles, and 2,263 drones suggests a sustained and sophisticated air defense operation, likely involving US-supplied systems such as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot batteries.