Key Points:
- UAE says it intercepted 12 ballistic, three cruise missiles and four drones.
- No casualties or damage reported.
- GCC terms attack “flagrant violation”.
- Qatar expresses strong solidarity with UAE.
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a telephone conversation with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during which he conveyed Saudi Arabia’s “strong condemnation” of the Iranian attacks, according to the kingdom’s official news agency.
During the call, bin Salman expressed Riyadh’s “denunciation of the unjustified Iranian attacks targeting United Arab Emirates,” and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for the UAE in safeguarding its “security and stability.”
Also, Saudi Foreign Ministry has called for de-escalation, urging restraint and an end to further escalation, while expressing support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts and broader diplomatic initiatives aimed at reaching a political solution to prevent the region from sliding into greater instability.
It stressed that rising tensions would undermine regional and global security and stability, warning that continued escalation serves no one’s interests. It also underscored the importance of restoring freedom of international maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to normal conditions as they existed prior to February 28, calling for guarantees to ensure the safe and unrestricted passage of vessels.
Meanwhile, the UAE Ministry of Defence on Tuesday said its air defence systems neutralised 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones before they could reach their intended targets. No casualties or damage were immediately reported.
The incident prompted a swift and unified response from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which termed the attack a “flagrant violation” of the sovereignty of one of its member states. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi strongly denounced Iran’s actions, calling them “irresponsible” and accusing Tehran of adopting an escalatory approach that undermines regional peace and stability.
In an official statement, Albudaiwi urged the international community to take immediate steps to halt what he described as repeated Iranian attacks, stressing that targeting the UAE is “unacceptable by all standards” and violates international law as well as principles of good neighbourliness.
The GCC also reaffirmed its “full and unwavering solidarity” with the UAE and backed measures taken by Abu Dhabi to safeguard its security.
Separately, Qatar’s emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani expressed “strong condemnation” of the attacks during a phone call with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. According to a statement issued by the Qatari emir’s office, the attacks targeted civilian sites and facilities, further raising concerns over the potential impact on regional stability.
The Qatari leadership reiterated its full support for the UAE and endorsed all measures taken by the Emirati government to maintain security and stability.
