Abu Dhabi, March 26: One Indian national was killed and another injured as two people died and three suffered injuries after the debris of a ballistic missile fell in UAE’s Abu Dhabi on Thursday following a successful interception by the country’s air defence systems.

“As part of the ongoing follow-up to the previously reported incident caused by falling debris following the successful interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems, the incident has resulted in the deaths of two individuals of Pakistani and Indian nationality, and in injuries ranging from serious to moderate sustained by three individuals of Emirati, Jordanian and Indian nationality,” the Abu Dhabi Media Office wrote on X.

“The public is advised to obtain information only from official sources and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information,” it added.

Earlier in the day, Abu Dhabi Media Office had said that authorities had responded to an incident involving falling debris in Sweihan street after the missile was intercepted by air defence systems.

“Abu Dhabi authorities have responded to an incident involving falling debris in Sweihan street, following the successful interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems. The incident resulted in the deaths of two unidentified individuals, three injuries, and damage to a number of cars. Further updates will be provided in due course,” Abu Dhabi Media Office posted on X.

“The public is advised to obtain information only from official sources and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information,” it added.

The ongoing conflict in West Asia began on February 28 following the strikes carried out by Israel and the US on Iran, which resulted in the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military officials. In response, Iran has launched drone and missile attacks targetting the US and Israeli facilities, regional capitals and allied forces in West Asia.

Earlier in the day, UAE’s Ministry of Defence said that its air defences were responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. It advised people to adhere to the safety and security instructions issued by the authorities.

In a statement shared on X, UAE’s Ministry of Defence said, “UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. MOD asserts that the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones.”

Washington, March 25: Top American lawmakers and experts have warned that the country’s heavy reliance on foreign critical minerals, especially those from China, poses a direct threat to national security, and called for urgent steps to build resilient domestic supply chains.

At a House subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, Congressman Paul Gosar said the “very security of our nation relies heavily on a steady input” of minerals essential for defence systems, electronics and advanced technologies. He pointed to copper, rare earths and lithium as key inputs for fighter jets, missiles and batteries.

Gosar warned that the US remains heavily reliant on imports. “We import half of our supply of 20 of the 60 minerals… and we are entirely reliant on the importation of 13,” he said, adding that China dominates global processing and refining capacity.

Lawmakers from both parties agreed that the supply chain vulnerability has strategic implications. Representative Jared Huffman said the issue was not just about resources but governance, alleging that billions in federal investments lacked transparency and oversight.

Expert witnesses told the panel that China has effectively “weaponised” mineral supply chains. Gracelin Baskaran said the key question was no longer whether China controls critical minerals, but how quickly the US can build alternative supply chains.

“The question is what the United States does about it,” she said, calling for coordinated industrial policy and stronger alliances to secure supply.

Geologist Simon Jowitt said the US has “huge unrealised mineral potential” but remains underexplored due to limited geoscientific data and slow permitting. He stressed that exploration is the foundation of any supply chain and can deliver significant economic returns.

Jowitt also underscored the need for a full domestic ecosystem. “There’s no point in just having mineral deposits without having an entirety of a supply chain,” he said, arguing that processing and refining must accompany mining to ensure security.

National security expert Abigail Hunter highlighted structural challenges, noting that supply chains take years to build while disruptions can occur “overnight”. She said China’s control over processing creates a “choke point” that allows it to influence global markets rapidly.

“Capacity must be built in advance,” Hunter said, warning that relying on imports during crises could leave US defence systems vulnerable.

At the same time, watchdog groups raised concerns about government investment strategies. Faith Williams said federal equity stakes in mining firms could create conflicts of interest and reduce transparency.

“Corruption or the appearance thereof is bad for business,” she said, cautioning that unclear rules could distort markets and increase costs for taxpayers.

Despite political divisions, there was broad agreement that critical minerals underpin both economic growth and military capability. Lawmakers cited their role in everything from semiconductors and smartphones to advanced weapons systems.

The hearing also highlighted the economic stakes. Mining contributes billions to the US GDP and supports nearly two million jobs, with wages significantly above the national average.

Experts said solutions would require a combination of domestic production, allied cooperation and demand-side policies. Baskaran urged creating a “market of 2.6 billion consumers” among US allies to counterbalance China’s dominance.

The issue has gained urgency amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing demand for minerals driven by clean energy, defence modernisation and digital infrastructure, placing supply chain resilience at the centre of US strategic planning.

Tehran, March 26: As the conflict in West Asia continues to escalate, Iran has announced that it will not impose restrictions on vessels belonging to five “friendly” countries, including India, allowing them to pass through the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz even as access remains limited for others.

Along with India, ships from Russia, China, Pakistan and Iraq have been granted safe passage through the key maritime chokepoint despite the ongoing conflict in the region.

In an interview with Iranian state television, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified that the Strait of Hormuz has not been completely shut and that certain countries with which Iran maintains friendly relations have been exempted from restrictions.

“There is no reason to allow the enemy to pass through the strait. We have permitted certain countries that we consider friendly to pass through; we allowed China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan to transit,” Araghchi was quoted as saying by Iran’s official news agency.

At the same time, he indicated that vessels linked to countries seen as adversaries or those involved in the ongoing conflict would not be allowed passage. He said ships from the United States, Israel and certain Gulf nations playing a role in the current crisis would not be given clearance to transit through the strait.

Araghchi also expressed satisfaction over Iran’s control over the vital waterway, stating that the country has demonstrated its authority in the region after decades.

He noted that when Iran initially announced a partial blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, many observers had dismissed it as a bluff. However, he said that subsequent developments have underscored Iran’s capability to enforce its position and assert control over one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes.