United Arab Emirates (UAE) President, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, slammed Iran for targeting several parts of the country with its missiles. Taking a sharp jibe, the President asked Iran to act with sense as the country is not at war with its neighbouring states like the UAE.
“The Iranian aggression against the Gulf states was a miscalculation, and it isolated Iran at a critical juncture. Your war is not with your neighbours,” said Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic advisor of the UAE President. Return to reason, to your surroundings, and deal with your neighbours rationally and responsibly before the circle of isolation and escalation widens,” he further added.
The staunch remarks by the UAE came after Iran targeted several provinces of the United Arab Emirates in retaliatory measures against the combined military action of the US and Israel, which killed the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khameini. On Saturday, Iranian missiles hit the Al-Dharfa US Base in the Southern part of Abu Dhabi. Apart from Al Dharfa, several other parts of Abu Dhabi were also shaken by the Iranian missiles on the same day.
Later, Dubai, a major global commercial hub that does not host a US base, was attacked, prompting the closure of its airspace and widespread disruption across the Gulf region. The city witnessed five major blasts, and the Dubai International Airport sustained damage, resulting in disruptions in flight operations. Four people were also injured in the attacks.
As Iran continued its retaliatory attacks overnight, the landmark Burj Al Arab hotel sustained severe damage. Opened in 1999 on an artificial island off Jumeirah Beach, the sail-shaped tower quickly became an emblem of a city intent on projecting luxury on a global scale. On Saturday, a fire broke out near another hotel on the city’s artificially made Palm Jumeirah Island, as reported by news agency Reuters.
Not only the UAE, but also several other Gulf nations witnessed explosions due to the Iranian missile launch. On Sunday, loud blasts were heard in Dubai and the Qatari capital Doha. Oman was also hit for the first time as retaliatory strikes on neighbouring Gulf states in response to US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic widened.
Gargash further said that these attacks have isolated Iran from the Gulf neighbours.
