Abu Dhabi, UAE - The United Arab Emirates has forcefully rejected claims of direct Iranian involvement in the West Asia conflict, asserting that such allegations will not sway its principled positions. This firm stance comes as tensions between the two nations escalate, casting a shadow over regional diplomacy.
The UAE stated that "attempts at coercion, levelling accusations, or promoting malicious claims will not undermine the UAE’s principled positions nor deter the country from safeguarding its supreme national interests and upholding its sovereignty and independent decision-making."
Accusations Fly Amidst BRICS Gathering
The Emirati response follows Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's pointed remarks during the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Araghchi alleged that the UAE had "actively participated in aggression against Iran," even claiming that Iranian allegations against the UAE stemmed from its role in the conflict.
Read More: Labour MPs Want Starmer Out After Poor Election Results
Iran further accused the UAE of allowing its territory to be used for attacks against Iran. The UAE, in turn, has countered with its own accusations, asserting that Emirati air defences have intercepted nearly 3,000 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones originating from Iran. These alleged Iranian strikes, according to the UAE, were aimed at civilian facilities and critical infrastructure, including airports, ports, oil facilities, desalination plants, energy networks, and residential areas, since the conflict's commencement on February 28.
Deep Divisions Emerge Within BRICS
The ongoing West Asia conflict has exposed significant divisions within the BRICS grouping, particularly between the UAE and Iran. Despite both nations being members, their disagreements over regional security, sovereignty, and geopolitical alignments have become increasingly evident, spilling into multilateral diplomatic platforms.
Reports of Secret Strikes Surface
Recent reports have also suggested a more complex reality beneath the surface of public statements. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the UAE secretly conducted strikes against Iran during the conflict, even while maintaining a public stance of neutrality.
Read More: US Iran peace talks stall on 17 May 2026 due to lack of trust
One such reported strike targeted a refinery on Iran’s Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf in early April, around the time of a declared ceasefire. These reports have added fuel to Iran's accusations that the UAE sided with the United States and Israel during the conflict. Open-source imagery has allegedly depicted UAE aircraft inside Iranian airspace.
Beyond direct military action, the UAE is also reported to have backed diplomatic and economic measures aimed at Iran, including support for proposed United Nations resolutions concerning freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Restrictions on Iranian-linked entities operating within Dubai were also reportedly tightened.
The risk of broader regional entanglement has been highlighted, with concerns that the UAE's alleged actions could draw other Gulf states into direct conflict with Iran. Reports indicate private discussions among Gulf states, notably Saudi Arabia and the UAE, focused on whether to pursue military reprisals against Iran or to maintain delicate diplomatic relationships. Notably, the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, stated that Israel had provided Iron Dome batteries and personnel to bolster UAE defences.
Read More: Kolkata MP Abhishek Banerjee FIR After Election Speeches
