UAE says it does not want escalation with Iran

(Patria) - The United Arab Emirates announced that it does not want to be drawn into an escalation of conflict with Iran, but emphasized that it reserves the right to protect its sovereignty and security.

"The UAE emphasizes that it does not want to be drawn into conflicts or escalation," wrote spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Afra Al Hameli on social network X. She added that the country "reaffirms its full right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, national security, and territorial integrity, in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations".

The United Arab Emirates is among the countries most affected by Iranian missiles, and about a dozen countries have reported attacks during the conflict.

The Jerusalem Post newspaper published earlier on Sunday, citing an unnamed Israeli source, that the UAE carried out an attack on an Iranian water desalination plant, which would represent the first Emirati attack on Iranian territory. However, the same newspaper later quoted a UAE official who denied these claims.

Chairman of the parliamentary Committee for Defense, Internal Affairs and Foreign Policy Ali Al Nuaimi stated on network X, in Farsi, that the UAE "categorically denies" reports of targeting a desalination plant in Iran and emphasized that the country has no intention of entering into conflict or further raising tensions.

Advisor to the President of the UAE Anwar Gargash also stated that the country is in a defensive position in the current conflict.

He conveyed that any measures the UAE might take will be "public and clear" and will not be based on media leaks or claims from unknown sources.

Last week, the Jerusalem Post, citing unnamed Western diplomats, also reported that Qatar carried out its first attack on Iran, which Doha also denied.

Gulf states largely depend on desalination plants to provide most of the drinking water for their populations.