The UAE is considering strikes on Iranian missile facilities
The United Arab Emirates is considering striking Iran's missile and drone facilities, according to two sources familiar with the discussions, Axios reports.
According to them, such a move is being considered in response to numerous missile and drone attacks. A potential strike on Iran by the UAE could be unprecedented.
The sources note that among the Persian Gulf countries, the UAE has suffered the most attacks from Iran since the start of the war.
"The UAE is considering active defensive measures against Iran. Although the country has not participated in the war in any way, it has still been hit by 800 attacks," said a source familiar with political discussions in the Emirates.
"The UAE believes that no country in the world would refuse to assess its defensive position under such circumstances," the source added.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the country reserves the right to self-defence. At the same time, it noted that no decision has yet been made to change its defence position due to repeated attacks by Iran.
The attacks began on the first day of the war, when Iran struck the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. The next day, the strikes also spread to Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Due to the attacks, Qatar suspended most of its natural gas production. On Monday, an Iranian drone hit the US embassy in Riyadh.
Fires broke out at the port of Jebel Ali after debris from downed missiles fell, and a drone hit a hotel on the artificial island of Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.
Israeli officials suggest that Saudi Arabia may also consider military action in response to the Iranian attacks.
Anwar Gargash, foreign policy adviser to the UAE president, wrote on X that Iran's attacks on the Gulf countries were a mistake.
"Your war is not with your neighbours, and this escalation only reinforces the view that Iran is the main source of danger in the region and that its missile programme is a constant source of instability," Gargash wrote.
The UAE Ministry of Defence reported that Iran had launched 186 ballistic missiles at the country. Of these, 172 were intercepted, 13 fell into the sea and one missile fell on UAE territory.
In addition, 812 drones were recorded. Of these, 755 were intercepted and 57 reached the country's territory. Three foreign nationals were killed and about 70 people were injured as a result of the attacks.
The Ministry of Defence stated that the UAE reserves the right to respond to the escalation and take the necessary measures to protect the territory, citizens and residents of the country.
Iran's attacks in response to the US and Israeli strikes have turned the conflict into a broad regional crisis. They have affected countries that were not previously directly involved in the war.
Since the start of the US and Israeli bombing campaign, Iran has struck American bases and targets in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, including the Kurdish region.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Operation Epic Fury is expected to last four or five weeks.
