UAE Hit By Missile Attacks Amid Iran Threats, Maintains Calm
UAE reports missile attacks, exercises restraint, seeks diplomatic resolution.
The United Arab Emirates reported a fresh missile attack early Sunday morning, escalating the regional conflict as Iran issued unprecedented threats against three major UAE ports just a day prior.
This development follows Iran's first-ever direct warnings targeting a neighboring Gulf state's non-US assets, amid accusations that the United States is using UAE "ports, docks, and hideouts" to strike Kharg Island, Iran's key oil export terminal. Tehran provided no evidence for these claims, as the broader Iran-US-Israel war persists without resolution, now spilling over into Gulf infrastructure critical to global energy markets.
UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash affirmed the nation's right to self-defense late Saturday on X, stating, "The UAE has the right to defend itself against this imposed terrorist aggression, but it is still prioritising reason and logic, continuing to exercise restraint and seeking a way out for Iran and the region." He emphasized Abu Dhabi's diplomatic overtures, noting it "made sincere efforts until the very last moment to mediate between Washington and Tehran to avoid this war."
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The strikes form part of a larger Iranian barrage since late February 2026, with UAE defenses intercepting most of 285 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,567 drones by mid-March. Debris from interceptions has caused six deaths—including two UAE pilots—and over 140 injuries across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah, damaging civilian sites like airports, hotels, and oil facilities.
Gargash's restraint signals UAE's strategy to avoid full entanglement despite hosting US bases like Al Dhafra, which Iran has targeted repeatedly. This delicate balance comes as Gulf states brace for potential retaliation, with reports of UAE considering strikes on Iranian missile sites.
International calls for de-escalation grow urgent, as disrupted oil flows from Kharg and Fujairah threaten global supplies. The UAE's measured response underscores its role as a mediator caught in the crossfire of superpower tensions.
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