Daijiworld Media Network – Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, Sep 1: An Iranian drone was intercepted over the United Arab Emirates’ territorial waters early Monday, the UAE Defence Ministry said, as tensions between Iran and the United States escalated following renewed military exchanges.
The incident came after the US carried out strikes on an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, marking the first major military action in more than a month. Iran subsequently launched missiles towards US military positions in Jordan, with the attacks reportedly intercepted.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was not seeking war but would respond to any aggression. The UAE described the drone incident as a “dangerous escalation”.
Meanwhile, a tanker reported being struck by three unidentified projectiles while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said the incident occurred around 17 nautical miles east of Khasab, Oman. No casualties were reported and an investigation is underway.
The renewed tensions have also triggered wider diplomatic and military developments across the Middle East.
In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed at least five Palestinians on Monday, according to hospital officials. Two people were killed in a strike near a residential building, while another attack on a vehicle in Tal al-Hawa killed three.
Elsewhere, the US approved an $800-million sale of multipurpose helicopters and related equipment to Iraq. The deal includes Bell 412EPX and Bell 407M helicopters, which can be used for transport and potentially adapted for combat operations.
Israel, meanwhile, signed a 3-billion-euro defence agreement with Greece, described as the largest weapons deal between the two countries. The deal includes a multilayered air defence system using Israeli technology.
Against the backdrop of rising regional tensions, leaders of China, Russia and India also gathered in Kyrgyzstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, with discussions expected to focus on regional and global security issues.
Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have also indicated that their newly formed defence pact could be opened to additional countries, with Egypt reportedly among those being considered.
The developments come as Washington continues efforts to increase economic pressure on Iran, while countries across the region remain concerned that the latest military exchanges could trigger a broader escalation.