The UAE has reported that Iran launched two missiles, coinciding with the suspension of trade with Tehran

The UAE has reported that Iran launched two ballistic missiles aimed at maritime traffic, leading to the suspension of trade and financial transactions with Tehran.

The Defense Ministry of the United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday that it had identified two ballistic missiles launched from Iran, marking the first incident of this kind since the strike on Fujairah port on May 4.

In a statement released subsequently, the ministry indicated that its assessment suggested the missiles targeted “maritime traffic.” Both missiles plunged into the ocean, it stated.

Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, dismissed the UAE’s statement early on Wednesday, calling it “baseless.”

In response to the missile threat, the UAE announced the suspension of all trade activities, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions with Iran until further notice.

The UAE stated that the action was a response to an escalation it perceived as a threat to regional and international peace and security.

The missile launch occurred after the 60-day period for US-Iranian peace talks ended on Monday without any significant progress. The recent development has sparked concerns about the possibility of renewed hostilities in a conflict that has already hindered shipping through the Strait of Hormuz since February.

“The defense ministry confirms its complete preparedness to address any threats and resolutely confront any actions that seek to undermine the state’s security,” it stated in a release.

The UAE’s Interior Ministry issued a phone alert to residents on Tuesday, assuring them that the situation was safe and encouraging everyone to return to their normal activities.

The alert came after a previous warning regarding a missile threat.

The UAE has recently accused Iran of attacking vessels owned by the state oil company ADNOC while they were transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has not taken responsibility for the attacks on ADNOC vessels.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have issued threats regarding action against vessels navigating through the strait if they are associated with Tehran’s adversaries or do not adhere to Iranian directives.