UAE Warns Of 'Potential Missile Threats', Asks People To Seek Shelter

In its first such warning in months, the UAE has warned of 'potential missile threats' and asked people to remain in a safe place. The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) of the country said in a statement on X that their air defence systems have detected a missile threat targeting the country.

"UAE air defence systems detected a missile threat targeting the county. Please remain in a safe location and follow warnings and updates issued through official channels," the statement read.

The alert comes a day after the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States, aimed at ending the fighting in the Middle East, expired on Monday.

UAE air defence systems detected a missile threat targeting the county. Please remain in a safe location and follow warnings and updates issued through official channels. pic.twitter.com/aobFA9WRdw

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 18, 2026

Meanwhile, the interior ministry also issued an alert stating that because of the "current situation" and "potential missile threats", one should seek a safe place in the "closest secure building".

The Emirati defence ministry said that it had "detected a missile threat directed towards the country".

The UAE said on Saturday that Iran had attacked an Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) vessel while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz a day earlier.

The UAE foreign ministry then urged Iran to stop what it called unprovoked attacks, end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz fully.

The last missile warning in the country came in May; after that, there was a false alarm in June when a technical malfunction in the national early warning system mistakenly sent phone alerts to residents notifying them of a potential missile threat.

When the Middle East war began on February 28, the UAE bore the brunt of Iran's attacks, with nearly 3,000 missiles and drones directed at the country -- more than anywhere else in the region.

After a memorandum of understanding came into effect in June between the two parties, which has since collapsed, the UAE reported no attacks, unlike other Gulf states.

What Did The MoU Say?

US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the agreement on June 17 to halt more than three months of war that had killed thousands and crippled commercial shipments through the Gulf, especially oil and gas exports relied on globally.

The 14-point MoU left complex points of contention between the two nations, like Iran's nuclear programme, to be dealt with later. But it sought to find an immediate diplomatic solution to halt the war and end the conflict in Lebanon.

"The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran and their allies in the current war by signing this MOU declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other and ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon," the MoU read.

"The final deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and other provisions of this paragraph" would be endorsed by the UN Security Council and would be reached in a maximum of 60 days, which could be extended by mutual consent," it added. 

The deal also required the US to end its naval blockade within 30 days after the "final deal" was reached and begin work on a reconstruction and development package for Iran of at least $300bn. Under the agreement, the United States was also required to lift sanctions against Iran, issue waivers for Iranian oil exports, and allow Tehran to access its billions of funds frozen abroad.

On its part, Iran was asked to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz and allow ships to pass "with no charge" for 60 days.

Iran also reaffirmed that it shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons and will maintain the status quo.