The United Arab Emirates has called for the United States, Israel, and Iran to return to the negotiating table as a conflict in the Middle East enters its fifth day. UAE's Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, condemned "blatant Iranian attacks" and warned against regional escalation, reiterating the UAE's stance against its territory being used for military operations against Iran.
Al Hashimy stressed that the UAE "does not seek to expand the circle of confrontation" and "does not believe that military solutions necessarily create stability." She emphasized that "Returning to the negotiating table is the only rational way forward."
During a government media briefing, debris from recovered missiles and drones, including ballistic missiles and suicide drones, were displayed following Iran's strikes. The UAE's defense ministry reported repelling hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones, stating a total of 186 missiles and 812 drones were fired towards the country since the weekend. Brigadier Abdul Nasser Al Humaidi, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence, assured that the UAE's air defense system is highly capable of defending the nation.
While advocating for continued diplomatic dialogue, the UAE highlighted its robust defense capabilities and ammunition stockpiles to ensure self-protection during the escalation period. The ongoing attacks have impacted travel, with individuals from Dubai seeking overland evacuation to Muscat, Oman, or Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, leading to significant increases in flight costs.