Abu Dhabi issues strong condemnation over targeted strikes on civilian facilities, warning against a catastrophic cycle of regional violence.
ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates has issued an urgent appeal for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, expressing “deep concern” over the rapid military escalation that has disrupted global maritime trade routes and put regional stability at severe risk.
In an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the state news agency WAM, the UAE government called on all warring parties to exercise the “utmost restraint” to prevent the region from collapsing into uncontrollable levels of violence and permanent instability.
The UAE’s diplomatic intervention follows a severe breakdown of a June interim truce between the United States and Iran. The subsequent collapse has triggered fresh drone and missile exchanges across the Gulf, including direct strikes that engaged UAE air defense systems earlier in the week.
Central to Abu Dhabi’s declaration is the absolute necessity of maintaining open and unhindered trade corridors. The ministry stressed the vital importance of ensuring safe, uninterrupted commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, describing the strategic waterway as a critical lifeline for the global economy. The statement directly follows recent Iranian moves to claim authority over the passage, countered by a heavy U.S. naval presence aiming to maintain international shipping lanes.
“The UAE calls for an immediate end to hostilities and a swift return to negotiations,” the statement read, advocating for diplomacy over military brinkmanship.
Furthermore, the UAE issued an explicit, zero-tolerance warning regarding the expanding scope of targeted infrastructure. The government emphasized that the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure—including schools, universities, hospitals, energy facilities, desalination plants, transportation hubs, and residential zones—constitutes a flagrant and grave violation of international law. Abu Dhabi concluded that such strikes cannot, under any circumstances, be accepted, excused, or justified.
