UAE denounces Iran attacks on Bahrain

Abu Dhabi has condemned Iran’s drone and missile attacks targeting Bahrain, describing the strikes as terrorist acts and a grave threat to Gulf security at a time of heightened regional tension.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the United Arab Emirates rejected the attacks in the strongest terms and affirmed its full solidarity with the Kingdom of Bahrain against any action that threatens its security, sovereignty and stability. The ministry said such attacks represent a blatant violation of international law and risk widening confrontation across one of the world’s most strategically sensitive regions.

Bahrain, a close Gulf Cooperation Council partner of the UAE, hosts the headquarters of the United States Fifth Fleet and sits near key maritime routes linking Gulf energy producers to global markets. Any attack on its territory carries implications beyond Manama, raising concerns over shipping, aviation, energy infrastructure and the security architecture that has underpinned Gulf stability for decades.

The UAE’s statement reflected a broader diplomatic push by Gulf capitals to frame cross-border missile and drone strikes as unacceptable violations of sovereignty, regardless of the wider disputes driving the confrontation. Abu Dhabi called for restraint, de-escalation and respect for international law, while stressing that regional security cannot be protected through attacks on civilian areas, national infrastructure or sovereign territory.

Bahrain’s authorities said defensive systems had responded to incoming threats, while security agencies remained on alert. The country has stepped up coordination with allies amid fears that military exchanges involving Iran could spill into neighbouring states. Gulf governments have increasingly focused on air defence integration, maritime surveillance and civil protection planning as the range and accuracy of drones and missiles used by state and non-state actors have expanded.

Iran has used missile and drone capabilities as a central part of its regional deterrence strategy, while Gulf states have repeatedly warned that such actions increase the risk of miscalculation. The latest escalation comes against the backdrop of strained diplomacy over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions, maritime security and the role of armed groups aligned with Tehran across the Middle East.

For the UAE, the attack on Bahrain touches a core security concern: preserving the sovereignty of Gulf states while avoiding a wider confrontation that could disrupt trade, investment and energy flows. The UAE has spent years balancing deterrence with diplomacy, reopening channels with Tehran while maintaining close defence partnerships with the United States and regional allies.

That approach has become more difficult as drone and missile warfare has lowered the threshold for cross-border attacks. Unmanned systems can be launched with limited warning, can target energy sites and ports, and can be used to signal intent without a full conventional confrontation. Gulf states have responded by investing in layered air defence, intelligence-sharing and emergency response capabilities.

Bahrain’s position is especially sensitive because of its security ties with Washington and its location between Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iran. The kingdom has faced political and security pressures linked to regional rivalries, and its leadership has consistently aligned with Gulf partners in opposing actions seen as destabilising. The UAE’s message of solidarity is therefore both diplomatic and strategic, reinforcing the view that an attack on one Gulf state affects the security of the wider bloc.

The condemnation also carries economic weight. Gulf markets are highly exposed to perceptions of regional risk, particularly when tensions threaten maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters. Bahrain’s economy relies on financial services, logistics, manufacturing and tourism, while the wider Gulf remains central to global energy supply. Even limited attacks can raise insurance costs, disrupt aviation routes and unsettle investor confidence.

Abu Dhabi’s language was notably firm, using the term terrorist attacks to describe Iran’s actions. That wording signals the UAE’s view that the strikes were not merely military incidents but deliberate acts that endangered civilians and violated international norms. It also places the UAE alongside Bahrain and other Gulf partners in pressing for a unified diplomatic response.