The United Arab Emirates announced Tuesday that its air defenses are currently responding to and engaging with “incoming missile and drone threats from Iran.”

“The UAE’s air defenses are currently engaging with missile threats and incoming drones originating from Iran, and the Ministry of Defense confirms that the sounds heard in scattered areas of the country are the result of the air defense systems intercepting ballistic missiles, as well as fighter jets intercepting drones and loitering munitions,” the UAE’s Ministry of Defense wrote on X.

“Since the start of the Iranian attacks, 253 ballistic missiles have been detected. Of these, 233 were destroyed, 18 fell into the sea, and 2 landed within the country,” it said on Monday.

“The Ministry of Defense affirmed that it remains fully prepared to deal with any threats and will respond firmly to any attempts to undermine the country’s security, ensuring the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguarding its national interests and capabilities,” it added.