UAE Says Situation Stable After Missile Attack Alert as Tensions Rise Around Strait of Hormuz
DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates has declared the situation satisfactory following a possible missile attack alert, with the Ministry of Interior saying residents and citizens can resume normal activities while continuing to follow safety precautions and official instructions.
The ministry thanked citizens and residents for their cooperation and said the situation was currently safe. It advised people to remain cautious, follow necessary safety measures and comply with instructions issued by authorities.
Earlier, amid concerns over possible missile threats, the UAE Ministry of Interior had urged residents to immediately take shelter in the nearest safe building and stay away from windows, doors and open areas. People were also advised to remain in safe locations and await further instructions from authorities.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has described the Strait of Hormuz as US territory and shared a map on his Truth Social account carrying the words “New US Territory” around the strategic waterway.
The map showed a circle around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway located between Iran and Oman at the entrance to the Arabian Gulf. Trump’s post came a day after he said that calling the strait US territory was a “great idea.”
Responding to questions from reporters at the Oval Office, Trump said the US effectively controlled the waterway through a blockade.
Meanwhile, Qatar has said it is waiting for a bilateral agreement between Iran and Oman following a recent attack in the Strait of Hormuz before US-Iran negotiations can resume.
Speaking at a press conference in Doha, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said an agreement concerning the Strait of Hormuz could pave the way for the resumption of US-Iran talks.
He said Qatar was in direct contact with Iran regarding the issue of Iranian pilots and that an invitation for an Iranian delegation to visit Qatar remained open, although Tehran had not yet responded.
Al Ansari said Qatar was awaiting an Iran-Oman bilateral agreement before the mediated US-Iran negotiations could move forward.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry also rejected claims that three Iranian pilots had been detained and invited Iranian officials to Doha for discussions. According to the ministry, Iran had been asked to send a technical team to Qatar to examine the issue involving the destroyed fighter aircraft.
The ministry said two pilots had been involved in the incident, one of whom was killed. His body was recovered on March 13 and subsequently handed over to Iran.
Qatar also said Iran’s request for Red Cross involvement in the pilot issue was a tactic, while reiterating its call for technical discussions between the two sides.
