ABU DHABI/WASHINGTON, 19 August (H.S.): The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken a major step against Iran following an alleged ballistic missile incident, suspending all trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Tehran with immediate effect.

The UAE said the decision was prompted by rising regional instability and growing threats to regional and international peace and security. The measures will remain in force until further notice.

Afra Al Hameli, Director of the Strategic Communications Department at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced the decision. She reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to dialogue, cooperation and regional integration as means of promoting peace, stability and prosperity across the region.

According to a report by Gulf News, the UAE's decision came after two Iranian ballistic missiles, which Emirati authorities said were targeting maritime navigation, fell into the sea. The UAE subsequently suspended all forms of commercial activity, trade and financial dealings with Iran.

Meanwhile, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump said there were currently no talks with Iran. He also maintained that the Strait of Hormuz remained open and operational despite limited maritime traffic and reports of an attack on a vessel.

Trump also posted an image describing the strategically important waterway as new US territory, further underscoring his administration's increasingly hardline position amid the escalating confrontation with Iran.

Iran, meanwhile, has reiterated its conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar's Foreign Ministry said mediators were awaiting a bilateral agreement between Iran and Oman concerning the strait before broader US-Iran talks could resume.

Al Hameli also rejected allegations concerning Iran's economic relations with the UAE. She reiterated Abu Dhabi's position that regional disputes should be addressed through dialogue and cooperation while stressing that the latest measures were necessary in view of the growing threats to regional and international peace and security.

The UAE has also urged its citizens to rely only on official government information amid the heightened security situation.

According to the UAE Ministry of Defence, the country's air defence systems detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran toward the UAE. An assessment found that the missiles were targeting maritime navigation. One missile fell into the sea outside the UAE's territorial waters, while the second landed within the country's maritime boundaries.

The ministry said the incident caused no reported impact or damage. It added that the UAE remains on high alert and is fully prepared to respond to any threat targeting the country's security or maritime navigation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar