Radio Shoma

The United Arab Emirates air defences intercepted five ballistic missiles and 17 drones on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism, in cooperation with the economic development departments across the UAE, carried out around 8,168 inspection visits to markets from February 28 to March 17.

The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned the Iranian attacks that targeted Bahrain that resulted in the death of a Moroccan civilian contractor in the UAE Armed Forces during a routine mission as part of the Emirati crew.

The Pentagon is expected to send thousands of soldiers from the army's elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, according to reports on Tuesday, adding to the massive military buildup even as the Trump administration seeks talks with Iran.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) have offered their condolences to the family of a Moroccan civilian contractor in the UAE Armed Forces who was killed during a routine mission in Bahrain following an Iranian missile attack.

There is no direct Qatari mediation between the United States and Iran, but Doha supports all formal and informal diplomatic channels to end the war, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.