On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran that killed its supreme leader and triggered a regional war. Iran responded with drone and missile attacks across the Middle East, including strikes that have hit neighboring countries that say they are neither involved in the conflict nor have permitted warring parties to launch attacks from their territory.
“The United Arab Emirates affirms that it is acting in self-defense against the brutal and unjustified Iranian aggression, which included the launch of more than 1,400 ballistic missiles and drones targeting infrastructure and civilian sites, resulting in civilian casualties,” the UAE’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
“The UAE emphasizes that it does not seek to be drawn into any conflicts or escalation. However, it affirms its full right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, national security, and territorial integrity, and to ensure the safety and security of its citizens and residents, based on its right to self-defense in accordance with international law and the UN Charter,” the ministry added.
Gulf countries reported new missile and drone attacks on Sunday as the regional war entered its second week.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait all reported fresh attacks, after loud explosions were heard in Dubai and Bahrain’s capital Manama a day earlier.
The attacks came despite Iran’s president apologizing to Gulf countries for earlier strikes, saying they would no longer be targeted unless attacks were launched from their territory first.
Hours later, however, Iran’s judiciary chief said strikes would continue against sites in Gulf countries that were “at the disposal of the enemy.”
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said on Saturday that the Emirates were in “a time of war” and would “emerge stronger” from it.
Dubai authorities said Saturday that a Pakistani national was killed after debris from an “aerial interception” fell onto a vehicle.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday his earlier remarks had been “misinterpreted by the enemy that seeks to sow division with neighbors,” according to state TV, after his comments were widely seen as indicating a suspension of attacks on Gulf countries.
“It has repeatedly been said we are brothers and must have good relations with neighbors. However, we are forced to retaliate to attacks but this does not mean we have a dispute with a (neighboring) country or want to upset their people,” Pezeshkian said.
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