Lead:

The United Arab Emirates has issued a series of strong condemnations following Iranian attacks on commercial tankers in and near the Strait of Hormuz, targeting vessels belonging to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait. The UAE Foreign Ministry described the incidents as aggressive and dangerous acts of escalation, signaling a coordinated diplomatic response from Abu Dhabi as Gulf states confront what they characterize as a pattern of Iranian maritime aggression threatening regional stability and international shipping routes.

Details:

Al Khaleej reports that the UAE condemned in the strongest terms the Iranian attack on the Saudi tanker Wadyan while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with the Foreign Ministry issuing a formal statement describing the incident as a dangerous escalation. A separate condemnation was issued regarding the attack on the Qatari tanker Al-Rukayat, which was targeted near the same strait, with the ministry reaffirming the UAE's commitment to freedom of navigation and the protection of civilian maritime infrastructure.

Al Khaleej further reports that the UAE extended its condemnations to cover renewed Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait, with Abu Dhabi expressing full solidarity with its Gulf neighbors. Dr. Anwar Gargash, the Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, stated that Gulf states would not remain permanent targets of what he described as Iran's oscillation between escalation and rationality, adding that the repeated attacks on commercial tankers and Gulf territory demanded a firm and unified response.

On the broader regional picture, Al Khaleej cited Emirati and Italian experts and diplomats who concluded that the Middle East crisis has entered a new phase, transcending its regional boundaries to become a global challenge with implications for international security and economic stability. Newsd reported separately that the UAE also condemned twin terrorist bombings near the Ministry of Tourism in Damascus, expressing solidarity with Syria and underscoring Abu Dhabi's consistent positioning against all forms of political violence across the region.

On the domestic front, Newsd and Al Khaleej reported that Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, received a delegation from the Emirates Foundation, praising more than two decades of contributions to societal development. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced that foreign direct investment flows into the UAE reached 177.3 billion dirhams during 2025, according to the latest global investment report.

Watch For:

Whether Iran issues any formal response or denial regarding the tanker attacks, which could determine the next phase of diplomatic or security escalation in the Strait of Hormuz.

How Gulf Cooperation Council member states coordinate a collective formal response beyond individual national condemnations in the days ahead.

Whether the UAE's diplomatic signaling through Dr. Anwar Gargash's public statements leads to a multilateral initiative at the United Nations or through other international channels.