West Asia tensions rise: Iran says Ukrainian anti-drone depot destroyed in UAE

Tehran: Iran on Saturday claimed it had targeted and destroyed a depot housing Ukrainian anti-drone systems in the United Arab Emirates, alleging the facility was being used to support US military operations in the region.

“As the hideouts of American commanders and soldiers in Dubai were targeted... a depot of Ukrainian anti-drone systems that was located in Dubai to assist the US military ... was targeted and destroyed,” Iran’s military central operational command Khatam Al-Anbiya said in a statement carried by state TV.

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The development comes amid intensifying hostilities across West Asia, with Iran continuing strikes against Israel and US-linked assets since the conflict escalated on February 28.

However, Kyiv denied Iran's claim that Tehran had targeted and destroyed a Ukrainian anti-drone system depot in the United Arab Emirates, calling it a "lie" and a "disinformation".

"This is a lie, we officially refute this information. The Iranian regime often conducts such disinformation operations -- and in this it is no different from the Russians," Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhy told reporters.

The claim also coincides with Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent visit to the UAE, where he announced enhanced defence cooperation between the two countries. During his regional tour, Ukraine also signed an air defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, according to senior officials.

Earlier this month, Zelensky had said that 201 Ukrainian anti-drone experts were either deployed or en route to assist Gulf countries, including the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, in strengthening their air defence systems.

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Iran has repeatedly accused Gulf nations of allowing the United States to use their territory to launch attacks against it. However, these countries have strongly denied the allegations, maintaining that they have not permitted their land or airspace to be used for any offensive operations against Tehran.

Kuwait’s ports of Mubarak Al Kabeer and Shuwaikh have been damaged in drone and missile attacks in the past 24 hours, the Defence Ministry said Saturday.

The ministry said forces responded to four ballistic missiles, one cruise missile, and seven drones that attacked the oil-rich country in the past 24 hours.

No casualties were reported, it said.