The United Arab Emirates issued a mobile phone alert warning of a potential missile attack on Monday, before lifting it shortly afterward, nearly a month into a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East war.
“Due to the current situation, potential missile threats, immediately seek a safe place in the closest secure building,” the alert read.
Authorities later withdrew the warning, sending a follow-up message stating: “We reassure you that the situation is currently safe.”
Earlier on Monday, the UAE strongly condemned an Iranian drone attack on an ADNOC oil tanker in the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, as the United States prepared to begin escorting ships through the waterway.
Two drones struck the MV Barakah off the coast of Oman, but no injuries were reported, UAE state oil giant ADNOC said, adding that the vessel was not carrying cargo.
“Targeting commercial shipping and using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of economic coercion or blackmail represents acts of piracy by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps,” the UAE foreign ministry said.
The incident came as President Donald Trump said the United States would begin guiding ships through the strategic waterway from Monday.
The US and Iran remain deadlocked in peace negotiations since a ceasefire in the Middle East war took effect on April 8.
Iran fired more than 2,800 drones and missiles at the UAE from February 28 until the ceasefire on April 8, making it the most targeted country by Tehran’s strikes.
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