by Israel and the USA that led to the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Confirming the casualties, the Ministry wrote on X: "A total of 541 Iranian drones were detected, of which 506 were intercepted and destroyed, while 35 fell within the country, causing material damage.

The incidents resulted in three fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationalities, and 58 minor injuries among Emirati, Egyptian, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese and Afghan nationals."

The Ministry said the UAE air force and air defence forces have so far dealt with 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 541 Iranian drones since the start of the Iranian attack.

The ministry said that on the morning of the second day of the attack, the UAE air force and air defence forces destroyed 20 ballistic missiles, while eight missiles fell into the sea.

"They also destroyed two cruise missiles and 311 drones. However, 21 drones struck civilian targets. The ministry affirmed the capability of the UAE air force and air defence to address various threats," the Ministry said.

The ministry expressed its full readiness to address any threats and stressed that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority that cannot be compromised.

Meanwhile, Iran appointed Ayatollah Alireza Arafi to its interim leadership council, hours after officially announcing the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in a strike carried out by Israel and the United States on Saturday inside Iranian territory.