UAE President Asserts Readiness to Confront ‘Threats’ Amid Ongoing Iranian Attacks
The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, addressed the escalating conflict in the Middle East for the first time, as Iran continues to target Gulf nations hosting U.S. military assets with drone and missile strikes. His remarks were broadcast by Abu Dhabi TV during a visit to a hospital where he met with wounded patients.
Sheikh Mohamed emphasized the resilience of the UAE, stating, “The UAE has thick skin and bitter flesh – we are no easy prey.” He characterized the current situation as “a period of war,” asserting that the UAE would “emerge stronger” from the ongoing conflict.
In a social media post, Sheikh Mohamed highlighted that the UAE is prepared to confront threats to the security of its citizens, particularly in light of recent attacks that have impacted key locations, including airports, tourist attractions, and the U.S. consulate in Dubai. Tragically, one individual was killed when debris from an intercepted projectile struck his vehicle, as reported by Dubai’s Media Office.
The president’s comments came as the region entered the second week of hostilities, ignited by a significant U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran.
Iranian Leadership’s Mixed Messages
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an apology to neighboring countries for the strikes targeting areas housing U.S. military bases. However, his statement was quickly contradicted by Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the Iranian judiciary chief and a member of the interim leadership council. Ejei asserted that evidence from Iran’s armed forces indicates that some regional countries are “openly and covertly at the disposal of the enemy,” and warned that heavy attacks would persist.
Pezeshkian later clarified his earlier remarks, stating that while Iran values friendly relations, it retains the “inherent right” to defend itself against U.S.-Israeli aggression. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi further elaborated, indicating that Pezeshkian expressed a willingness for de-escalation, contingent upon neighboring nations not using their territories to launch attacks against Iran.
Iran Retaliates After Attack on Water Supplies
The ongoing conflict has seen all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman—targeted due to the presence of U.S. military assets in the region. The attacks have caused significant disruptions, including flight cancellations and airspace closures, with repercussions for global oil and gas production.
On Saturday, Iranian state media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted U.S. forces at Bahrain’s Jufair airbase in retaliation for an assault on a freshwater desalination plant on Qeshm Island. Araghchi condemned the U.S. attack on the plant as a “dangerous move with grave consequences,” claiming it affected the water supply for 30 villages.
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, indicated that the attack was supported by one of the airbases in a neighboring country, asserting that peace would remain elusive as long as U.S. bases exist in the region. Harlan Ullman, a senior adviser with the Atlantic Council, warned that targeting water supplies could lead to “greater chaos” in the Gulf, noting that approximately 95% of water in the region is sourced from desalination.
Other Attacks on Gulf
The UAE, a key U.S. ally and host to military installations, has faced the brunt of attacks during the ongoing conflict. The Emirati Ministry of Defence reported that the nation was targeted with 16 ballistic missiles and over 120 drones. Following Pezeshkian’s apology, the IRGC claimed responsibility for drone strikes on a U.S. air combat center at al-Dhafra airbase near Abu Dhabi.
In another incident, an unidentified object was intercepted near Dubai airport, temporarily halting operations at one of the world’s busiest airports. Iranian strikes have also targeted Abu Dhabi airport, the upscale Palm Jumeirah development, and the Burj Al Arab luxury hotel, with drone debris causing a fire at the U.S. consulate in Dubai.
On the same day, Qatar’s armed forces intercepted a missile attack, although no immediate details about damage or casualties were released. In Saudi Arabia, a ballistic missile launched towards Prince Sultan Air Base landed in an uninhabited area. Kuwait reported intercepting a drone, while the national oil company announced a precautionary reduction in crude production due to Iranian threats to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit route for Gulf hydrocarbons.
Iran to Select New Supreme Leader
In a separate development, U.S. President Donald Trump warned on social media that the U.S. would respond “very hard” to Iran, threatening to expand military strikes to include new targets. During an event in Miami, Florida, Trump claimed that U.S. forces had sunk 42 Iranian navy ships in three days.
Israel has also intensified its military actions, launching a new wave of strikes on Iranian targets in Tehran and Isfahan. The Israeli military reported that over 80 fighter jets participated in these operations, targeting missile storage sites and military facilities linked to Iran’s security forces. Among the strikes, 16 aircraft at Tehran’s Mehrabad airport, associated with the Quds Force, were reportedly hit.
The Israeli military noted that missiles were fired from Iran at Israel on multiple occasions, triggering air raid sirens and activating air defenses. Iranian state media subsequently reported that the IRGC targeted a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.
Additionally, Iran’s Assembly of Experts is scheduled to convene within the next 24 hours to select a new supreme leader, as confirmed by assembly member Ayatollah Mozafari. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, has rejected Trump’s demands for involvement in the selection process of the new supreme leader.
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Published on 2026-03-08 00:22:00 • By Editorial Desk
