UAE condemns Iran’s ‘hostile attacks’ as breach of international law, closes embassy in Tehran

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced early Monday the closure of its Embassy in Tehran and the withdrawal of its Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with all members of its diplomatic mission.

The action came in response to the "blatant" Iranian missile attacks that targeted the UAE's territory, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement posted on X.

"These hostile attacks against civilian sites, including residential areas, airports, ports, and service facilities, endangered innocent civilians in a serious and irresponsible escalation and constitute a flagrant violation of national sovereignty, as well as a clear breach of international law and the Charter of the United Nations," the statement added.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also affirmed that this decision reflects the UAE's “firm and unwavering stance against any aggression that threatens its security and sovereignty.”

"It comes in light of continued hostile and provocative conduct that undermines de-escalation efforts and pushes the region toward a highly dangerous trajectory, threatening regional and international peace and stability, as well as energy security and the stability of the global economy," the UAE said.

Missile attacks in UAE

Iran has reportedly launched hundreds of missiles and drone attacks on Dubai and Abu Dhabi since Saturday morning, as Tehran retaliated against US-Israeli airstrikes.

UAE defences intercepted most of them, but some reports indicated casualties and damage in multiple areas in both cities.

The attacks led to panic among residents and posed a huge threat to the UAE’s economy and status as a stable financial, logistics and tourism hub.

Meanwhile, the UAE’s two key stock markets will close on Monday and Tuesday to avoid a possible meltdown.

The US and Israel launched joint missile strikes — titled Operation Roaring Lion/Operation Epic Fury — on Iran on Saturday, 28 February.

According to several reports, Iran retaliated and targeted the US facilities in Bahrain, the UAE and other neighbouring Gulf nations in its retaliatory action.

Explosions shook Tehran and other major Iranian cities on 28 February. Israeli airstrikes supported by the United States killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei alongside his daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law. US President Donald Trump and Iranian state media confirmed his death on 1 March.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence announced that its air force and air defence units successfully intercepted a significant number of aerial threats after Iran launched a large-scale counter-attack on US military bases in the UAE.

In a statement shared on X and subsequently reposted by the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Ministry confirmed that the military has "so far dealt with 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 541 Iranian drones since the start of the Iranian attack."

The UAE’s Foreign Ministry later said it had summoned Iran’s ambassador, Reza Ameri, and handed him a strongly worded letter protesting Iran’s “terror” attacks on the country’s territories.

In a post on X, White House Press Secretary wrote, "Today, President Trump has spoken with the leaders of Israel, Bahrain, and the UAE. The President has also been briefed on the shooting in Austin, Texas."