The United Arab Emirates has stated that it will not participate in any attacks against Iran, while condemning what it described as unjustified targeting of its territory amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Speaking on Monday, the UAE’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Jamal Al Musharakh, said the country had made its position clear that it does not want to be drawn into the war or any escalation in the region.
According to him, the UAE has consistently maintained that its territory would not be used to launch attacks against Iran.
“The UAE does not seek to be drawn into conflict or escalation,” Musharakh said while addressing the United Nations Correspondents’ Association (ACANU).
He emphasised that the country has repeatedly assured the international community that it would not take part in any military action against Iran.
“We have been very clear, both before and during the current developments in the region, that the UAE will not partake in any attacks against Iran from our territory, and we will not be involved in such a conflict,” he stated.
“Our bases are not being used to attack Iran.”
Musharakh also reiterated the UAE’s call for diplomatic engagement, stressing the need for all parties involved in the crisis to return to negotiations.
His comments come against the backdrop of earlier diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran. On February 26, both countries held a third round of indirect talks in Geneva, facilitated by Omani mediators, focusing on Iran’s nuclear programme.
However, two days after the negotiations, the United States and Israel launched the first wave of military strikes that marked the beginning of the current conflict. Since then, Iran has carried out retaliatory strikes across several countries in the Gulf region, including the UAE.
The ambassador revealed that the UAE has faced a significant number of attacks since the conflict began.
“We were among the countries that consistently called for negotiations, diplomacy and de-escalation,” Musharakh said.
“And we have constantly stated that our territory would not be used to launch attacks against Iran. Yet we are being targeted, frankly, in a very unwarranted manner.”
He disclosed that the country has been subjected to more than 1,400 attacks involving cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and drones since the start of the conflict.
According to him, most of the attacks were successfully intercepted and neutralised by the UAE’s armed forces.
Musharakh also condemned what he described as the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure, including desalination facilities and energy plants, describing such actions as unacceptable.
“The UAE and other Gulf countries are not parties to the conflict,” he said. “There is no legal basis for targeting third-party states that are not involved in hostilities.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, had on Saturday apologised to neighbouring countries for attacks launched during the ongoing war.
Responding to the apology, Musharakh maintained that the situation on the ground remains troubling.
“The actions on the ground speak for themselves: my country is being attacked. Enough said,” he added.
UAE Says It Will Not Join Attacks on Iran, Condemns “Unwarranted” Targeting in Middle East Conflict
