The United Arab Emirates has strongly denounced missile and drone strikes launched by Iran against its territory and other Gulf nations. Officials in Abu Dhabi displayed wreckage from intercepted projectiles while emphasising the country’s defensive readiness and its opposition to any further widening of the confrontation.
The United Arab Emirates called on the United States, Israel, and Iran to return to the negotiating table as the conflict across the Middle East that broke out on the weekend entered its fifth day. Iranian attacks have targeted several Gulf states, including the UAE, prompting a measured diplomatic response from one of the region’s key economic and aviation hubs.
The Chenab Times has learned that speaking at her first press conference since the outbreak of the conflict, Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, condemned what she called “blatant Iranian attacks” on her country and other Gulf states. She warned of potential regional escalation without regard for the UAE’s repeated insistence that its territory must not be used for any military operation against Iran.
Al Hashimy stressed that the UAE does not seek to expand the circle of confrontation and does not believe military solutions will bring lasting stability. Returning to the negotiating table remains the only rational path forward, she said.
The UAE defence ministry reported that its air defence systems have repelled hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones fired toward the country since the weekend. A total of 186 missiles and 812 drones were detected, according to ministry figures released on Tuesday. Debris from the intercepted weapons, including fragments of ballistic missiles and suicide drones, was put on display at the government media briefing in Abu Dhabi.
Brigadier Abdul Nasser Al Humaidi, official spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, told reporters that the UAE’s air defence systems remain highly capable and that the country is fully prepared to defend itself for as long as necessary. He added that sufficient ammunition stockpiles are in place regardless of how long the escalation continues.
The strikes form part of Iran’s retaliation to earlier US and Israeli military actions against Iranian targets. The UAE, along with Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United States, issued a joint statement condemning the Iranian barrages as indiscriminate and reckless violations of sovereignty.
As a major international tourist destination and aviation hub, the UAE has seen disruptions to travel. Travellers in Dubai are now attempting to leave by road to Muscat in Oman, a roughly four-hour drive, or to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, more than 10 hours away, before boarding the few remaining commercial or charter flights, whose prices have surged since the conflict began.
The UAE has also closed its embassy in Tehran and withdrawn its diplomatic staff in protest over the attacks. Officials reiterated that any threat to national sovereignty will be met with a firm response in line with international law.
Despite the tension, Emirati leaders continue to advocate for de-escalation through diplomacy. Al Hashimy emphasised that dialogue involving all parties offers the best chance to restore stability across the wider Middle East.
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