
Iran-Israel war LIVE updates: UAE temporarily closes its airspace as precaution amid Iranian missile, drone 'threats'
The Hindu
Iran-Israel war: Follow live updates from The HIndu on the West Asia conflict on Marh 17, 2026
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) early Tuesday (March 17, 2026) closed its airspace as an “extraordinary precautionary measure” amid fresh wave of incoming missile and drone threats from Iran, its defence ministry said. The slew of attacks continue after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said that rockets had been launched from the UAE to attack Kharg Island. UAE officials have denied the claim.
Also read | Neighbourhood diplomacy and its West Asia challenge
A wave of drone and rocket attacks targeted the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday (March 17, 2026), Iraqi security sources said, describing it as the most intense assault since the attacks began, with at least five drones used.
Also read | Iran and U.S. have been in direct contact in recent days: report
With the war in its third week, Israel said on Monday (March 16, 2026) it had drawn up detailed plans for at least three more weeks of war as it pounded sites across Iran overnight. Iran also vowed at the United Nations that it would not submit to “lawless aggression”, and said its citizens were in “grave danger” from U.S. and Israeli strikes.













