UAE doubles down on support for Washington, as Iran demands expulsion of US bases

The UAE has doubled down in its support for Washington, saying that the US-Israeli war on Iran has made its relationship with its long-time ally even stronger, after Iran said it would end its attacks on Gulf states if American bases in the region were closed.

The US and Israel launched a joint surprise assault on Iran on 28 February, with Tehran retaliating by targeting American bases in the Gulf, Iraq, and Jordan.

Iran then extended its attacks to civilian targets in Gulf cities, with airports, hotels, and apartment blocks among the targets of Iranian missiles and drones.

Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said in a statement last week that it would end its attacks on its Gulf neighbours if it expelled US bases from their countries.

"Iran, without seeking to establish dominance in the region, is fully prepared for unity and warm relations with its neighbours," he said. 

"The countries of the region must close down the US military bases; otherwise, we will be forced to attack them again."

When asked by Australia's ABC network if the UAE would take the new Iranian leader up on his offer and expel Americans from the country, the Minister for International Cooperation Reem Al-Hashimy said Abu Dhabi would instead "double down" on its alliance with Washington.

"Quite the contrary... our relationship with the US is a longstanding strategic partnership. It’s a partnership that doesn’t falter in moments of crisis, but has been built on decades of trust and mutual respect,” Al-Hashimy said.

“This doesn’t deter us, because we’re also a resilient bunch, and we don't take to being bullied around, either."

The UAE has been the hardest hit country in the Gulf by Iran, with the country's armed forces intercepting 304 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,627 drones over the past two weeks, with some analysts saying it is likely singled out due to its strong relations with the US and Israel.

Despite this, Al-Hashimy said this will not change the UAE's relationship with its allies, and described the Iranian drone and rocket strikes as "almost unhinged".

"If anything, we are doubling down on our friends. We are further cementing the strong ties that bind us," she said.

The Iranian attacks have led to the deaths of two Emirati servicemen and five civilians, including a Palestinian resident, on Monday, when a downed drone fell on their vehicle.

Iran has targeted UAE ports and refineries in an attempt to economically cripple the country, while hotels and apartment blocks have also been hit by drones and rockets, causing outrage in the country and beyond.

UAE-based influencers have taken to social media to post videos showing their support for the government or showing that life in Dubai and other Emirati cities continues as normal.

Emiratis have adopted a comment by their ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, that the UAE has "thick skin, bitter flesh", to show their loyalty to their leadership and resilience to the strikes, with the slogan used on stickers, posters, and banners across the country.

At the same time, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday claimed Gulf states were the origin of attacks on his country, which have killed over 1,300 people.

"Reports claim that some neighbouring states, which host U.S. forces and permit attacks on Iran, are also actively encouraging this slaughter. Stances should be promptly clarified," he wrote on X.

Meanwhile, other Gulf states have taken a more cautious approach to the tensions, with most calling for dialogue and an end to fighting, and seeking to avoid further escalations.

The Qatar government noted on Monday that an Iranian media outlet had warned that civilian targets in the country could be hit and insisted that Doha was ready to defend itself from outside attacks.

"Iran must stop the attacks immediately so that a diplomatic solution to the crisis can be found," Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Majed al-Ansari said on Monday

"Stopping the attacks requires a decision from Iran’s foreign minister, and Qatar will defend itself. Contacts are still ongoing with Gulf countries to ensure de-escalation and confront Iran's attacks."