The United Arab Emirates is defending its territory against Iranian drone and missile attacks while working to prevent the conflict from spreading across the Gulf region, according to senior Emirati officials. In a briefing to Euronews and select media outlets in Abu Dhabi on March 8, 2026, officials revealed the country had been preparing for regional instability long before the latest escalation.
"We've been getting ready. Not expecting war but getting ready for a sort of emergency, such as the one that we are facing today," a UAE official stated. "The UAE is a country that prepares, and we have been preparing now for a long time because of our readout of the situation in the region."
We've been getting ready. Not expecting war but getting ready for a sort of emergency, such as the one that we are facing today.
Despite diplomatic engagement with Tehran, officials expressed surprise at the scale of the attacks. "What we have seen is something that we did not expect. We did not think that Iran would actually risk the relations of all its neighbours," the official said.
The UAE's multi-layered air defense systems have been intercepting incoming threats with assistance from international partners. "I have to say that the French support has been stellar," the official noted. "Their Rafales have moved in from day one; they've kicked in their agreement with us from day one. They are part of our continuing air patrols, taking down missiles and mainly drones."
The UAE is a country that prepares, and we have been preparing now for a long time because of our readout of the situation in the region.
Officials emphasized the priority remains protecting the country while maintaining economic stability and daily life. They warned that any future negotiations with Iran would need to address missile capabilities, not just nuclear issues. "Missiles are now centre stage, because missiles now are not seen as self-defence," the official stated.
The UAE aims to contain the conflict rather than see it expand. "We want to contain the war. We don't want the war to expand," the official said, while acknowledging the attacks have created "a huge trust gap that, in my opinion, will last for decades to come" between Gulf states and Iran.
What we have seen is something that we did not expect. We did not think that Iran would actually risk the relations of all its neighbours.
I have to say that the French support has been stellar. Their Rafales have moved in from day one; they've kicked in their agreement with us from day one. They are part of our continuing air patrols, taking down missiles and mainly drones.
Missiles are now centre stage, because missiles now are not seen as self-defence.