Emirati minister tells BBC Iran must end strikes on Gulf"

An Emirati minister has issued a stark warning that Iran must immediately stop launching strikes against Gulf states, telling the BBC that continued attacks risk pushing the region toward a broader and more dangerous conflict. The comments come amid escalating tensions following missile and drone strikes linked to the ongoing confrontation between Iran and its adversaries.
The warning was delivered during an interview discussing the recent wave of Iranian attacks targeting countries across the Gulf. According to regional officials, several nations—including the United Arab Emirates—have experienced missile and drone threats since the conflict intensified in late February. Authorities say the strikes have affected civilian infrastructure, energy facilities, and transport routes in multiple countries.
Emirati officials stressed that the Gulf states have repeatedly attempted to avoid becoming direct participants in the conflict. However, they argue that Iran’s decision to target neighbouring countries has created a dangerous escalation that threatens regional stability.
“We have been very clear that attacks on our region must stop,” the minister said during the interview. “The Gulf states are not seeking confrontation, but we cannot ignore actions that endanger our citizens, infrastructure, and economic stability.”
The recent tensions stem from a rapidly expanding regional crisis that began after coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets earlier this year. In response, Iran launched a large number of missiles and drones aimed at various locations in the Middle East. Some of these strikes have reached Gulf states that host U.S. military bases or maintain close security partnerships with Washington.
Officials in the UAE say their air defence systems have intercepted many incoming projectiles, preventing larger-scale damage. Nevertheless, the attacks have resulted in casualties and property destruction in several locations. Iranian missile and drone attacks have reportedly killed civilians and injured more than a hundred people in the UAE during the ongoing conflict.
The Emirati minister emphasized that the Gulf region has invested heavily in economic growth, global trade, and innovation over the past two decades. Continued military escalation, he said, threatens to undermine that progress by creating uncertainty for international investors, shipping routes, and energy markets.
The Gulf remains one of the world’s most important energy hubs, producing a significant share of global oil and gas supplies. Any prolonged instability could therefore have consequences far beyond the Middle East. Analysts warn that continued attacks near shipping lanes such as the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt global energy markets and raise fuel prices worldwide.
Despite the tensions, Emirati leaders have signalled that they still favour diplomatic solutions. Officials say dialogue and negotiations remain the only sustainable path toward reducing the risk of a wider war.
At the same time, the UAE has reinforced its message that it will defend its territory if attacks continue. In recent remarks, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan declared that the country is strong and capable of confronting threats, assuring citizens and residents that the government will protect them during the crisis.
Other Gulf leaders have expressed similar concerns. Officials in several countries have warned that Iran’s actions risk destabilizing the entire region and drawing additional states into the conflict. In separate comments, the prime minister of Qatar described Iran’s strikes on neighbouring states as a dangerous miscalculation that could have severe economic consequences if the violence continues.
Diplomats across the region are now working to prevent further escalation. Emergency meetings among members of the Gulf Cooperation Council have focused on coordinating defensive measures while also exploring potential diplomatic channels that could reduce tensions.
The Emirati minister stressed that Gulf nations do not wish to see the conflict widen. However, he warned that patience among regional governments is wearing thin as attacks continue.
“We have always supported stability and cooperation in the region,” he said. “But stability cannot exist if countries are launching missiles and drones at their neighbours.”
For many observers, the situation highlights the fragile balance of power in the Middle East. While diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes, the next steps taken by Iran and its regional rivals will likely determine whether the crisis moves toward negotiation—or further confrontation.
As the conflict continues, Gulf leaders say their message remains simple: stop the strikes, return to diplomacy, and prevent the region from sliding into a wider war that could have consequences for the entire world.