In a significant diplomatic shift that underscores the growing regional tension, the United Arab Emirates formally declared on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, that its land and airspace will not be used for any military action against Iran.
Addressing the UN Human Rights Council, Emirati diplomat Jamal Al Musharakh forcefully rejected Tehran’s "pretexts" for its ongoing barrage of missiles and drones, while simultaneously clarifying that the UAE remains a neutral ground.
_ _"We categorically reject any justifications... advanced by Iran to excuse these cowardly attacks," Al Musharakh stated, emphasizing that the UAE has consistently maintained its territory is off-limits for U.S. offensive operations.
The declaration currently stands as a primary strategic hurdle for the coalition’s "Operation Epic Fury."
Its primary mandate involves navigating the "stark contradiction" between Iran’s rhetoric of good neighborliness and its actual strikes on Gulf infrastructure.
Since the war began, the UAE has been the most frequently targeted state, facing over 2,100 missiles and drones that have struck airports, power stations, and residential buildings.
One official cited the "reckless and systematic conduct" of Tehran as the primary driver for the UAE's urgent plea for international intervention at the UN.
The conflict will also absorb and expand upon the massive economic disruption caused by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
A critical component of the UAE’s testimony was the warning that Iran’s actions threaten global energy markets and supply chains, as only a handful of "friendly" ships have been permitted transit.
Despite President Donald J. Trump’s claims that a 15-point peace plan is under discussion, Al Musharakh noted that Iran continues to target civilian facilities in states that have "consistently called for restraint."
One of the most immediate challenges for the region is the "unmitigated catastrophe" warned of by UN human rights chief Volker Turk.
Observers cited the "missile strikes near nuclear sites" in both Israel and Iran as the primary reason for the region's extreme instability.
“What the generals have broke, the soldiers can’t fix,” Iranian officials had previously warned, a sentiment echoed by the chaos currently affecting Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
The establishment of this official denial follows a month where Iranian strikes killed six civilians and two members of the Emirati armed forces.
While the UN Security Council recently adopted a resolution condemning these attacks, the emphasis remains on the UAE's precarious position as a non-belligerent caught in the crossfire.
Director-level diplomats pledged to continue the "urgent debate" in Geneva to hold Tehran accountable for damages to civilian infrastructure.
As the U.S. prepares to deploy the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, the question remains: “How will this shift in UAE policy restrict the U.S. military’s tactical options as the war enters its second month?”, a question that will be central to the Pentagon’s next situation assessment.