The UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem Al-Hashimi, described Iran’s attacks on Gulf countries as "unprecedented and unbalanced," stressing that these strikes came as a surprise to her country despite its repeated calls to de-escalate tensions.
In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Al-Hashimi said, "What Iran has done is unprecedented," adding, "It is difficult to understand that Iran would attack the very countries that were urging de-escalation and trying to prevent this war from breaking out in the first place."
She explained that "the UAE was among the most targeted Gulf countries for missile and drone attacks," noting that air defense systems have so far intercepted most of these strikes. She added, "We have borne the brunt of the missile and drone attacks, and it is astonishing for us that Iran has chosen this irrational path against Gulf countries."
The attacks, she noted, were not limited to military facilities but also affected civilian infrastructure, such as airports and oil tankers, despite the UAE’s assurances that its territory would not be used to launch attacks against Iran. Al-Hashimi added, "The question that must be asked is why Iran uses these methods to settle its disputes with Israelis and Americans."
Responding to questions about the UAE hosting U.S. military bases, Al-Hashimi stressed the opposite is true, emphasizing that the partnership with the United States is long-term: "Our relationship with the United States is a strategic partnership built on decades of trust and mutual respect, and it does not waver in times of crisis." The U.S. military maintains an airbase in the UAE about 30 kilometers from Abu Dhabi, which has faced Iranian threats and attacks, prompting some international airlines to cancel flights to the country.
Al-Hashimi also addressed the Strait of Hormuz, noting that Iranian attacks and the potential closure of the strait to commercial navigation aim to exert economic pressure and create panic in global markets. She explained that "about 20 percent of the world’s oil shipments pass through this vital maritime corridor," warning that "disrupting navigation there would affect global supply chains, not just the oil sector." She added, "It is not only about oil but most global trade passing through the strait, from petrochemical products to manufactured goods."
In conclusion, the minister affirmed that the UAE will continue to strengthen its relations with its allies, including the United States and Australia, emphasizing that "crises will not change the course of the strategic partnerships" her country has built, and highlighting: "In times of crisis, we hold even closer to our friends and work to strengthen relationships based on partnership and mutual respect."
