The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has described Iran as a “strategic threat,” with senior Emirati official Anwar Gargash warning that rebuilding trust between the two countries would take a long time following recent regional conflicts.
Read More: UAE says rebuilding trust with Iran will take ‘ages’
Speaking at an international policy conference in Chantilly, France, Gargash said that relations with Iran had been severely damaged after recent developments in the Middle East. He claimed that during the latest regional escalation, Iran launched attacks that affected multiple countries, including the UAE, further deepening mistrust in the region.
“You can’t be attacked with 2,800 missiles and drones and then talk to me about trust”, says UAE’s Anwar Gargash 🇦🇪#lovin pic.twitter.com/Zl8c1QANpV
— Lovin Dubai | لوڤن دبي (@lovindubai) April 25, 2026
According to Gargash, Iran carried out nearly 2,800 missile and drone launches during the conflict, with approximately 89% of those strikes allegedly targeting civilian areas, infrastructure, and energy facilities. He said such actions had significantly impacted regional stability and raised concerns over long-term security in the Gulf.
The UAE official stated that Iran is now widely perceived as a continuing strategic risk in the region. He emphasised that rebuilding confidence would not be immediate and would require sustained diplomatic engagement and behavioural change from Tehran.
Gargash added that the scale of the attacks had fundamentally altered regional perceptions, saying it was difficult to talk about trust-building when such a large number of strikes had allegedly been directed at sensitive civilian and economic targets.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following recent Iran-related conflicts involving multiple regional and international actors. Gulf states have increasingly voiced concerns over missile and drone attacks affecting critical infrastructure, including energy facilities and urban centres.
Despite these tensions, diplomatic channels remain open between Iran and several Gulf countries, although officials acknowledge that progress toward reconciliation has slowed significantly due to recent hostilities.
Read More: UAE issues emergency alert after missile attacks on cities
Observers say the UAE’s latest statement reflects growing frustration among Gulf states and highlights the fragility of regional security dynamics in an already volatile environment.