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Published on May 5, 2026
Tensions are rising again in the Gulf after the United Arab Emirates said it had seized 15 missiles and four drones fired at Iran and warned it had the right to respond to “treason”.
Monday’s attacks are the first time the UAE has been targeted since Iran and the United States agreed to end hostilities on April 8.
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According to UAE officials, one drone strike ignited a “massive” fire in the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone and injured three Indians. Officials say Iran blew up an empty oil tanker belonging to a state oil company as it tried to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has rejected the UAE’s offer.
Here’s how officials around the world responded to the attacks:
Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it condemned and condemned “in the strongest possible terms” Iran’s plans to target the UAE’s commercial and financial facilities, as well as a ship owned by an Emirati company.
“The kingdom confirms its solidarity with the brothers of the United Arab Emirates in the measures it takes to protect its sovereignty, security and integrity, and calls on the Islamic Republic of Iran to stop these protests,” it added.
Qatar
Qatar said it “strongly opposes another attack by Iran” and considers the attack a “violation of the UAE’s rights and a serious threat to the security and stability of the region”.
Qatar reaffirmed its “full cooperation” with the UAE and said it supports “all measures taken by the UAE to maintain its sovereignty, security, and integrity”.
Kuwait
Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned Iran’s “barbaric act” by targeting a UAE oil tanker and sending drones to “directly threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz”.
Iran’s actions were “a clear violation of the principle of international freedom of navigation, a threat to regional security and the security of international waterways,” it said in a statement on X.
The ministry also called for an end to all violence, and said it would support the UAE with “all necessary measures to protect its security and interests”.
Bahrain
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain condemned “Iranian terrorists” and said that the attacks are “a dangerous escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region”.
It also expressed its support for the UAE in any retaliatory measures it may take and called on the United Nations Security Council “to act decisively and deter Iran’s repeated and unprovoked attacks”.
Jordan
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi spoke to his Emirati counterpart, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and condemned “another Iranian attack on the UAE”, according to the Petra news agency.
Safadi reiterated Jordan’s “true cooperation” with the UAE “in fighting this”. He added that the attack is “a dangerous escalation and a threat to the UAE’s security, stability, territorial integrity and the security of its citizens and residents, and a violation of international law and the UN document”.
Germany
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz strongly condemned the attack on Iran and expressed his solidarity with the people of the UAE.
“Tehran must return to the negotiating table and stop holding the region and the whole world: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz must end. Tehran must not have a nuclear weapon. There must be no other threats or attacks on our friends,” he wrote in his statement on X.
Canada
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office said in a letter to X that “Canada strongly opposes Iran’s drone strike in the United Arab Emirates and stands in solidarity with its people”.
Carney said Canada appreciates “efforts to protect civilians and infrastructure” and reiterated its call for de-escalation and dialogue in the region.
France
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Iran’s attacks on the UAE, calling them “unjust and unacceptable” and pledged to continue France’s support for its allies in the region.
“As has been the case since the start of the conflict, France will continue to support its allies in the Emirates and in the region to defend their territory,” Macron said in a tweet on X.
United Kingdom
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attacks and called on Iran to engage in negotiations to prevent them from continuing.
“We stand in solidarity with the UAE and will continue to support the security of our partners in the Gulf. This escalation must stop. Iran must take steps to ensure that the conflict in the Middle East ends, and a long-term solution is found,” said Starmer.
Gulf Cooperation Council
The regional bloc condemned the attack on the Emirati oil tanker “in the strongest possible terms”, Secretary General Jassim Mohammed Al Badawi expressed his support for whatever the UAE can do “to protect its sovereignty, security and stability”.
“The continuation of these barbaric attacks by Iran targeting ships passing through the river is piracy and a serious violation of maritime security,” he added.
European Union
EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen condemned the protests and extended her solidarity to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his people.
“This attack is unacceptable and a violation of sovereignty and international law. Security in the region has direct consequences for Europe,” he wrote on X.
“That’s why we will be working with our partners in reducing and countering the embassies, in order to end the atrocities that the Iranian government is doing, to its neighbors and its people.”
