DUBAI -- The UAE Ministry of Defense said early Wednesday that its air defense systems were responding to incoming missile and drone threats originating from Iran.

Residents in Dubai received mobile alerts warning of a potential missile strike and were urged to seek shelter. The alerts were later lifted.

The incidents come amid rising regional tensions following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began Feb 28. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli and US assets across the Middle East.

On Tuesday, the UAE Ministry of Defense said its air defenses remain "vigilant, strengthened by cooperation with our partners," citing a 94% intercept rate on 1,475 drone attacks and a 92% intercept rate on 270 missile attacks over the past 11 days.