Iran denies striking UAE as it comes under attack with drones: Updates

Iran has tonight denied striking the UAE, adding that any retaliation will be met with a ‘crushing response.’

In a statement carried by Iranian media, a spokesperson for the IRGC said: ‘The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran have not carried out any missile or drone operations against the UAE in the past few days.’

It added that if the UAE decided to take military action, Iran will meet this with a ‘crushing and regretful response.’

The UAE has declared it is responding to a missile threat from Iran as the country’s air defence systems are activated.

In a social media post, authorities said: ‘The UAE’s air defenses are currently dealing with missile and drone attacks originating from Iran.

‘The Ministry of Defense confirms that the sounds heard in scattered areas of the country are the result of the UAE’s air defense systems intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.

‘UAE Air Defences system are actively engaging with missiles and UAV threats.’

Marco Rubio has claimed Project Freedom is a ‘defensive operation.’

He added: ‘What that means is very simple. There’s no shooting unless we’re shot at first, we’re not attacking them, but if they are attacking us, you need to respond to that.’

The secretary of state said the US won’t let ‘some fast boat come up on a ship and shoot it up. We’re going to respond and we’ve been been successful at it.’

Speaking at the White House, US secretary of state Marco Rubio says the goal of Project Freedom is to ‘rescue almost 23,000 civilians from 87 different countries that are trapped in the Gulf and left for dead by the Iranian regime.’

He added that 10 sailors have died in the Gulf so far, and described the others as being ‘held hostage’ by Iran.

Masoud Pezeshkian, the president of Iran, has accused the US of taking an ‘impossible’ approach to peace negotiations.

In comments carried by the state news agency IRNA, he said: ‘Our problem is that on the one hand, America is pursuing a policy of maximum pressure against our country and on the other hand, it expects Iran to come to the negotiating table and submit to their unilateral demands. Such an equation is impossible.’

Major General Omer Tischler has said the IAF is ready to deploy the entire air force against Iran if needed.

He said at a ceremony where he assumed command from his predecessor: ‘We are closely monitoring the developments in Iran and are prepared to deploy the entire air force eastward if required.’

The US embassy in Iraq has told its citizens to leave the country, after its airspace reopened.

In March, the US embassy there issued a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning, advising its citizens to leave as soon as possible.

It has now said that Iraq’s airspace has reopened again, adding there are ‘limited commercial flights operating.’

The embassy said: ‘Individuals considering air travel within Iraq should be aware of the ongoing potential risks posed by missiles, drones, and rocket-propelled grenades in Iraqi airspace.’

It added: ‘Iraq’s Iran-aligned terrorist militias continue to plan additional attacks against American citizens and US-associated targets.’

Iran has set up a new mechanism to manage the transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has warned the US Navy to stay out of the Strait of Hormuz and that ​commercial vessels will need to coordinate any passage with its military.

It ​also issued a new ⁠map of the strait with an expanded Iranian area of control.

Ali Al-Zaidi, the incoming president of Iraq, has offered to become a mediator between the US and Iran.

The offer was reportedly made during a phone call with Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian today.

Italy has rebuked Trump after he reignited a war of words with Pope Leo, following the Pontiff’s criticism of the Iran war.

Following Trump’s claims today that Pope Leo was ‘endangering a lot of Catholics’, Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said ‘attacks against the Holy Father’ are ‘neither acceptable nor helpful to the cause of peace.’

He added: ‘I reiterate my support for every action and word of Pope Leo; his are testimonies in favour of dialogue, the value of human life and freedom.’