Iran conflict enters 2nd month, Ukraine, UAE seal defence deal

The war in the Middle East entered its second month on Saturday as attacks continued across the region and the United States insisted that its objectives would be achieved within two weeks. Ukraine’s foreign ministry has dismissed a statement by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps that a Ukrainian air defense depot had been destroyed in Dubai. “This is a lie. We officially refute this information,” foreign ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said, adding that such statements form part of repeated disinformation efforts by Iran.
Earlier, Iran on Saturday said that it had targeted two US Army hideouts in Dubai as the conflict in West Asia continues. According to Iran’s state-run Fars News Agency, a spokesperson for the Central Headquarters of Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya claimed that US military personnel had relocated to these sites after earlier Iranian strikes on bases in the region. The spokesperson claimed that more than 500 troops were present at the locations, around 400 at one site and 100 at the other. The statement further claimed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) identified the hideouts and carried out precise missile and drone strikes. Meanwhile, US authorities have not yet commented.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has asked neignbouring countries not let the United States and Israel “run” the ongoing war from their lands if they want “development” and “security”. “I have said many times that Iran doesn't carry out preemptive attacks, but we will retaliate strongly if our infrastructure or economic centers are targeted,” Pezeshkian wrote in a post on X.
Iran warned a “heavy price” will be paid after Israeli attacks on nuclear and industrial sites, with Tehran accusing the US and Israel of “playing with fire” by targeting energy infrastructure. Iran also said there was no radioactive leak following attacks on two nuclear facilities. The warnings come as fighting and tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East, with growing fears of a wider conflict.
More than 40 explosions were heard across Isfahan early on Saturday and parts of an artillery facility on Artesh Street were hit, according to eyewitness accounts sent to Iran International. Widespread attacks and multiple explosions were reported across the city from about 1:30 a.m.
Meanwhile, Ukraine and the UAE have agreed to cooperate on defence amid Iran’s drone strikes across the region, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The news comes as the war in the Middle East escalates, prompting countries in the region – particularly those facing Iranian attacks – to recognise "what Ukraine has to offer in terms of defence technology", FRANCE 24’s Gulliver Cragg said, noting that the newly signed agreement focuses on exporting Kyiv’s “know-how and equipment”.