Less than a month ago, Dubai and Abu Dhabi were teeming with tourists. In Ajman and Sharjah, trade — from oil to logistics to finance — was going on as usual. Today, air defence systems are active over these cities’ skies, and fighter jets are making sorties over their skylines as the UAE is facing threats from Iranian missiles and drones.
Iran launched offensives across the Middle East following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes, but the UAE has especially been in the crosshairs.
Since Khamenei’s killing on February 28, Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones in retaliation, targeting US bases and assets in multiple Gulf states. But reports suggest the UAE has been bearing the brunt more than any other Gulf country. As of March 15, air defences of the UAE have dealt with 298 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,606 drones, said Abu Dhabi’s Ministry of Defence.
These numbers are far ahead of Iran’s offensive on its neighbours like Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia or Kuwait.
Civilian areas have been hit too, with debris damaging landmarks near the Burj Al Arab. Incidents of fire have been reported from the ports of the UAE. At least six casualties have been reported in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. At least one Indian has also been injured in Dubai, according to India’s foreign ministry.
But why is Iran using this intensity against the UAE? There is a mix of reasons for this aggression. They are, both strategic and symbolic.
A MIX OF REASONS FOR IRAN’S WRATH AGAINST THE UAE
First, the UAE hosts key US military facilities, such as Al Dhafra Air Base, making it a target for striking American interests without directly hitting US soil.
Iran cannot reach the continental United States easily, so its allied host in the region is facing Iran’s wrath. But then, one could argue that other Gulf countries also have American bases.
The UAE doesn’t just host an American base, it is the US’s “major defence partner”. An agreement was signed between the two in 2024, deepening ties that include advanced weaponry and joint exercises.
By hitting the UAE, Iran is seemingly aiming to raise costs for Washington’s regional allies and erode their support for operations against Tehran.
Nadim Koteich, a Lebanese journalist who has been associated with Sky News Arabia, took to X to note that the Iranian strategy of hitting the UAE was “not random”.
“Why UAE? Statistics reveal the true target: 65% of Iran’s missiles and drones since killing the Supreme Lunatic Ali Khamenei were aimed at the UAE. This isn’t random… It is a calculated strike against the most successful alternative to political Islam and revolutionary narratives.”
“The UAE is the global hub of the New Middle East: prosperous, connected, and unapologetically moderate. No other country in the region carries this conceptual and symbolic weight and practical capabilities,” Koteich added.
Unlike Saudi Arabia, which has stronger military capabilities and a larger US footprint, the UAE is much more vulnerable in terms of defending itself.
Saudi Arabia has also faced Iranian strikes, but reports suggest they were lower in number and intensity compared to what the UAE faced.
UAE HAS BEEN BRIDGE BETWEEN GULF, WEST; ALSO MAJOR FINANCE-TOURISM HUB
Another reason for Tehran particularly targeting the UAE is that the Emirati nation has positioned itself as a bridge between the West and the Gulf.
It is a global hub for finance, tourism, tech, and trade. This could be another reason why Iran is targeting the UAE, as it has long opposed Western influence in the region. Having a close US ally in the region is a challenge to its regional ambitions.
Iran struck not just US bases but also economic hubs like ports — the Jebel Ali and Fujairah ports — and airports, to disrupt global trade, pressure oil markets, and challenge the UAE’s image as a stable haven.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi have long been major tourism hubs. But with tourists now posting about drones hitting hotels, it could dent the UAE’s image as a safe holiday and shopping destination.
“This [Iran’s attacks] harms Dubai’s image and tourism. By striking iconic sites like Palm Jumeirah and areas near the Burj Khalifa, Iran aims to destroy Dubai’s reputation as a safe haven for global investment and tourism… The UAE [also] has a lot of leverage on Trump, and they [Iran] hope they [UAE] will pressure him [Trump] into stopping,” said Shaiel Ben-Ephraim, a geopolitical analyst, on X.
Moreover, the 2020 Abraham Accords, normalising UAE-Israel ties, still remain a sore point. Iran sees the signing of the accords as betrayal, aligning an Arab state with its arch-enemy.
Apart from this, amid the fog of war, claims have emerged that a US Tomahawk missile — allegedly launched from a UAE base — struck near an IRGC facility in Minab, killing over 165 schoolgirls in a targeting error on February 28. The sense of vengeance against both the US and its friend in the Middle East, has intensified even more.
Ryan Bohl, senior Middle East and North African analyst, said in an article in New York-based WXXI News that Iran seeks to “cause as much political and social pain to Westerners” and pressure the US by hitting a high-profile ally like the UAE.
The attacks have disrupted daily life in the UAE. There have been airspace closures, flight halts, and economic ripples are being felt globally. The UAE’s defences have intercepted most threats, but its confidence appears to have waned, as the US could not fully come to its aid.
