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Iran will be held accountable for attacks on civilians, infrastructure: UAE official
Senior diplomat says right to self-defence is guaranteed, warns continued aggression will deepen Iran’s isolation
- PUBLISHED: Thu 26 Mar 2026, 12:55 PM
Iran will be held accountable for its attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure, a senior UAE diplomat has said, as international condemnation of the escalation grows.
In a post on X, Anwar Gargash said the unanimous condemnation at the United Nations Human Rights Council reflects a clear global stance on the seriousness of the attacks and their violation of international law and state sovereignty.
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He stressed that targeting civilians, infrastructure, and threatening energy security and maritime navigation “will not go without accountability”, adding that the right to self-defence is guaranteed under international law.
Gargash warned that the continuation of such attacks would only deepen Iran’s isolation.
The UAE has faced 27 days of Iranian attacks involving more than 2,000 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. Eleven deaths have been reported, with 161 others injured from 29 nationalities.
Global backing
His remarks come as the Human Rights Council adopted by consensus a resolution condemning Iranian missile and drone attacks on the UAE, Gulf states and Jordan.
Co-sponsored by more than 100 countries, the resolution described the strikes as violations of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security. It also condemned the targeting of civilian infrastructure, including airports, ports, energy facilities, desalination plants and residential areas, noting that the affected countries are not party to the conflict.
The council further rejected any attempts to disrupt international navigation, including through key waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, warning that such actions pose risks to regional stability and global supply chains.
Regional position
Separately, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan issued a joint statement condemning what they described as “blatant Iranian attacks”, calling them a flagrant violation of sovereignty, international law and international humanitarian law.
The countries also pointed to attacks carried out by Iran-aligned armed groups operating from Iraq, urging the Iraqi government to take immediate steps to prevent further strikes from its territory.
They reaffirmed their right to take all necessary measures to safeguard their security and stability, while warning against destabilising activities by affiliated groups and sleeper cells in the region.
As Associate Editor, Sahim Salim helps tell the UAE story like no one else does — and leads a team of reporters that asks the questions to get news and headlines that matter.
