UAE denies reports of missile strike on Al-Minhad Air Base

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — The UAE Ministry of Defense denied reports that Al-Minhad Air Base, located in the country's north, had been targeted by a missile. In a written statement, the ministry said the air force detected an unmanned aerial vehicle approaching from the direction of Iran and intercepted it over the country's territorial waters. The statement said media claims that Al-Minhad had been hit by a missile did not reflect reality. The ministry did not specify when the interception took place or provide further details on the type of drone involved. The ministry said the armed forces remained prepared to confront any threat in order to protect the country's sovereignty and security. The denial comes amid heightened military activity in the region, though the statement did not directly address the broader security situation. No further details were immediately available on the reported drone incident or the original missile strike claims.