UAE tennis tournament suspended after drone interceptor sparks | Israel-Iran conflict news

Debris from a drone interceptor is expected to play in the Fujairah Challenger event on the Gulf coast of the UAE.

The ATP Challenger tennis tournament in the United Arab Emirates was interrupted after a “security alert” related to Iranian attacks on targets in the Gulf region in response to attacks by the United States and Israel.

Debris from the interception of a drone on Tuesday caused a fire in an oil field about 15 km (nine miles) from the venue of the men’s second round of the global circuit.

Play at the Fujairah Challenger event in Fujairah on the UAE’s eastern Gulf coast has been suspended in line with established security protocols, before being canceled for the remainder of the day.

“After consultation with local authorities and security advisors, play has been canceled for the remainder of the day as a precautionary measure,” the ATP said in a statement.

Video on social media showed two players, Belarussian Daniil Ostapenkov and Japan’s Hayato Matsuka, scrambling for shelter after the public announcement.

“I finished my match in the second round in Fujairah, but today’s match is suspended,” Ukrainian player Vladislav Orlov said on Instagram. “When I was playing, I heard jets flying here and there and there’s smoke here, right next to the mountain, so it’s not very safe here right now.”

Iran has fired missiles and drones at several countries around the Middle East in response to US-Israeli attacks that have killed at least 787 people across Iran since Saturday, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

Iranian attacks have increasingly targeted oil and gas infrastructure in the Gulf, raising concerns about disrupting global energy markets.

They have drawn increasing condemnation from countries in the region, including the UAE, which on Tuesday described the firing by Iran as “blatant aggression and a serious violation of national sovereignty and international law”.

The UAE has intercepted 186 Iranian missiles since the US-Israeli attack on Iran began on February 28, according to a statement from the country’s defense ministry.

“Of these, 172 missiles were destroyed, 13 fell into the sea, and one missile landed on the country’s territory,” the ministry said, adding that 755 Iranian drones were intercepted and 57 fell inside UAE territory.

At least three people in the UAE have so far been killed and 68 others have suffered minor injuries due to the attack, the ministry said.

“The ministry confirmed that the UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens and residents in a manner that preserves its sovereignty, security and stability and protects its national interests and capabilities.”