The reactions after the Iranian attack: “dangerous escalation”

The Iranian attack that happened yesterday (Monday) in Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, led to sharp condemnations directed by Abu Dhabi against Tehran, where it is accused of a dangerous escalation and harming regional stability. At the same time, Saudi Arabia condemns the attack, but works to keep a distance from the conflict, while conveying a cautious message of preparing for any scenario without being dragged into war.

A sharp message against Tehran was heard this morning from the circle closest to the government in Abu Dhabi. Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates, wrote on his account on the X Network: “We appreciate and cherish the messages of solidarity from the Gulf, the Arab world, and the international community with the United Arab Emirates – which condemn and condemn the brutal Iranian attack, and reflect the international community’s commitment to a world order based on values and responsibility, and rejecting rebellious actions and isolating the their operations”.

He added: “These positions emphasize that Iran is the aggressor, responsible for escalating the crisis in the Arabian Gulf, and the source of the danger and threat to its security and stability.”

Already last night, a harsh statement was heard from Gargash that sharpens the aggressive tone towards Tehran and outlines the way in which Abu Dhabi sees the attack. “The dangerous Iranian escalation and attacks on civilians are nothing more than the moral bankruptcy of a regime that has chosen aggression as a course of action against its neighbors.”

“The determined and principled position of the United Arab Emirates will not be deterred by this escalation, and will not allow it to shape the face of future relations in the region,” he emphasized. “And once again, Iran got the address wrong.”

Tehran is also being attacked in the academic-public arena in the Emirates. Prof. Abdel Khalek Abdullah charged last night that “the brutal Iranian aggression against the United Arab Emirates emphasizes that it is impossible to live alongside cancer in the name of the terrorist Iranian regime, which poses an existential danger to the countries of the region and the entire world. Iran has become a global problem that requires a decisive international response. The United Arab Emirates knows how to protect itself, and the world must protect its interests.”

Against the background of the situation, last night there was a telephone conversation between the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed, during which he expressed the kingdom’s condemnation of the Iranian attacks and emphasized its stand by Abu Dhabi in protecting its security and stability.

An official in the Saudi royal house described this morning in a conversation with N12, the Iranian attack as part of a more extensive calculated move. “We condemn this action against the United Arab Emirates and believe that what Iran did at this time is an attempt to test the capabilities of the Israeli air defense systems that Israel provided to the Emirates,” he said.

“The Ayatollah regime in Iran wishes to test the strength of the air deterrence and develop it in preparation for the ‘unity of the arenas’ war from Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen, which aims to overthrow the Israeli political system in the future and put an end to Israel’s existence as the most important ally of the US in the Middle East,” continued the source in the Saudi royal family.

According to him, in the eyes of Tehran, this is a broader existential conflict, one that dictates a long-term strategy and not a one-off move. “The regime in Iran currently sees Israel and the US as a real existential threat, and it will do everything in its power to wage a prolonged war of attrition, followed by a blitzkrieg like it was on October 7, but on a larger scale. This, clearly, is what the Iranian regime is planning today.”

The official from the Saudi royal house also clarifies that, along with the condemnation, Riyadh is careful to keep its distance from the conflict and avoid a direct deterioration: “Riyadh distances itself from this war as much as possible. This is not its war. So far, it is committed to an agreement mediated by China, along with formulating defense plans and emergency plans if necessary. If a direct Iranian attack on Saudi Arabia occurs, then each incident will have its own reference. We will not anticipate the later.”