Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan have denounced missile and drone strikes, as Germany, the UK, and Canada call for Iran to return to talks. Tensions are rising in the Gulf again after the United Arab Emirates stated it intercepted 15 missiles and four drones fired from Iran and warned that it reserves the right to respond to the “treacherous” attacks.
The attacks on Monday mark the first time the UAE has been targeted since Iran and the United States agreed to a ceasefire on April 8. According to authorities in the UAE, one drone attack set off a “large” fire at the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone and wounded three Indian nationals. Officials also said Iran attacked an empty crude oil tanker belonging to the state oil firm as it attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. There was no official comment from Iran, but the state broadcaster carried a statement blaming “US military adventurism” for the incident. Iran has denied the UAE’s accusations.
Here’s how officials around the world responded to the attacks:
**Saudi Arabia**
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned and denounced “in the strongest terms” the Iranian targeting of civilian and economic facilities in the UAE, as well as a vessel belonging to an Emirati company. The kingdom affirmed its solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and called on the Islamic Republic of Iran to cease these attacks.
**Qatar**
Qatar “strongly condemns the renewed Iranian attacks” and considers the strikes a “blatant violation of the UAE’s sovereignty and a serious threat to the security and stability of the region.” Qatar affirmed its “full solidarity” with the UAE and supported “all measures taken by the UAE to preserve its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.”
**Kuwait**
Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Iran’s “reprehensible aggression” in targeting a UAE oil tanker and deploying drones, calling it a “direct threat to maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.” Iran’s actions were described as a “clear breach of the principle of freedom of navigation in international waterways, threatening regional security and the safety of global supply lines.” The ministry called for an immediate end to all aggression and pledged support for the UAE.
**Bahrain**
Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the “Iranian terrorist attacks,” considering them “a dangerous escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region.” It expressed support for the UAE in any retaliatory measures and called on the United Nations Security Council “to take firm and deterrent positions and measures against these repeated and unjustified Iranian attacks.”
**Jordan**
Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi spoke with his Emirati counterpart, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, condemning “the renewed Iranian attacks on the UAE.” Safadi reiterated Jordan’s “absolute solidarity” with the UAE, describing the strikes as “a dangerous escalation and a threat to the UAE’s security, stability, territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens and residents, as well as a blatant violation of international law and the UN charter.”
**Germany**
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz strongly condemned Iran’s attacks and expressed solidarity with the people of the UAE. He stated, “Tehran must return to the negotiating table and stop holding the region and the world hostage: The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz must end. Tehran must not acquire a nuclear weapon. There must be no further threats or attacks against our partners.”
**Canada**
The office of Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that “Canada strongly condemns Iran’s unprovoked missile and drone strikes on the United Arab Emirates and stands in solidarity with its people.” Carney commended “efforts to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure” and reiterated Canada’s call for de-escalation and diplomacy in the region.
**France**
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Iran’s strikes on the UAE, describing them as “unjustified and unacceptable” and pledging continued French support for allies in the region. Macron affirmed, “As it has done since the start of the conflict, France will continue to support its allies in the Emirates and in the region for the defence of their territory.”
**United Kingdom**
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attacks and called for Iran to engage in talks to prevent any further escalation. He stated, “We stand in solidarity with the UAE and will continue to support the defence of our partners in the Gulf. This escalation must cease. Iran needs to engage meaningfully in negotiations to ensure the ceasefire in the Middle East endures, and a long-term diplomatic solution is achieved.”
**Gulf Cooperation Council**
The regional bloc denounced the attack on the Emirati oil tanker “in the strongest terms,” with Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al Badawi expressing full support for any measures the UAE takes “to preserve its sovereignty, security and stability.” He added, “The continuation of these brutal Iranian attacks by targeting ships passing through the strait is piracy and serious extortion of the security of sea lanes and straits.”
**European Union**
EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen denounced the attacks and extended full solidarity to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his people. She stated, “These attacks are unacceptable and constitute a clear violation of sovereignty and international law. Security in the region has direct consequences for Europe.” She concluded, “So we will keep working closely with our partners on de-escalation and diplomatic resolution, to bring an end to the Iranian regime’s brutal actions, both against its neighbours and its own people.”
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