Iran foreign ministry spokesman Baghaei on the 19th denied UAE allegations that
Iran launched ballistic missiles, calling the claims unfounded and urging states
to avoid baseless accusations while saying the situation is complicated by what
he described as ongoing malicious actions and a history of false‑flag operations
by the United States and Israel. The UAE defence ministry said on the 18th its
air-defence systems detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran, with one
falling outside and one inside UAE territorial waters; the UAE foreign ministry
early on the 19th said it will suspend all trade, commercial and financial
transactions with Iran until further notice, citing a regional escalation that
undermines regional and international peace and security.
