At least one Nigerian has been identified among dozens of people affected during the interception of Iranian ballistic missiles in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The UAE defence ministry said the attacks were part of retaliatory strikes launched by Iran following accusations that the Gulf nation allowed the United States to use its military bases to carry out operations against Tehran.

In a statement on Tuesday, the ministry said its air defence systems had detected 262 ballistic missiles launched from Iran since the conflict began on February 28.

Of the total number, 241 missiles were intercepted and destroyed, 19 fell into the sea, while two landed on UAE territory.

The statement partly reads: “Since the onset of the blatant Iranian attacks, 262 ballistic missiles have been detected. Of these, 241 were destroyed, 19 fell into the sea, and 2 struck within the state territory.

“A total of 1,475 Iranian UAVs have also been detected, of which 1,385 were intercepted, while 90 fell within the country’s territory. 8 cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed.

“These attacks resulted in 6 deaths among Emirati, Pakistani, Nepalese and Bangladeshi nationals, and 122 people sustained moderate to minor injuries. The injured include nationals of the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, the Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan and Palestine.”

However, the authorities did not specify how many individuals from each nationality were affected.

Meanwhile, the UAE said on Wednesday that its air defence systems were again responding to incoming missiles and drones launched from Iran.

“UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran,” the defence ministry said in a post on X.

The ministry added that the sounds of explosions heard in parts of the country were the result of air defence systems intercepting the missiles and drones. (Vanguard, excluding headline)

•PHOTO: Foreign workers look at a tall plume of black smoke ascends following an explosion in the Fujairah industrial zone on March 3, 2026