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'Yes, the UAE won': President's advisor details how nation dealt with Iranian aggression
In a press conference with the Dubai Press Club, the official said the UAE was most exposed to Iran's 'treacherous attacks' compared to the rest of the countries, including Israel
- PUBLISHED: Thu 16 Apr 2026, 11:22 PM
Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic advisor to the UAE President, questioned the "major targeting" of the UAE by Iran during the recent regional crisis.
In a press conference with the Dubai Press Club, the official said the Emirates was most exposed to Iran's "treacherous attacks" compared to the rest of the countries, including Israel.
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"This comprehensive attack and major targeting of the UAE cannot be understood through any logical and rational explanation."
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Gargash went on to say that the UAE was subjected to more than 2,800 Iranian missiles and drones, of which 96 per cent were shot down.
"Yes, Iran lost, and yes, the UAE won."
Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor To The Uae President
Detailing how the nation dealt with the attacks, he said that Iran "believed that the UAE was an open field" but was confronted with "complete efficiency and superiority".
Relations with Iran
In January, UAE's Minister of Foreign Trade, Thani Al Zeyoudi, said at a separate event that the UAE is Iran's second-largest trading partner. Falling just behind China and ahead of Iraq, with its food and food products being one of the UAE's major imports.
However, since then, the rapidly changing regional situation caused the UAE to face a barrage of Iranian missiles. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian later apologised to neighbouring countries for attacks launched during the Islamic Republic's war with Israel and the United States.
"I apologise... to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran," said Pezeshkian in a speech broadcast by state TV.
Now that the temporary ceasefire continues between the US and Iran and diplomatic talks hang in the air, Gargash commented on Iran's attempts at building relations.
"Iran is trying today to rebuild bridges of relations with the countries of the region ... but let us all remember that Iran is the one that targeted those bridges through its treacherous aggression against the UAE and the Gulf countries for 40 days."
The UAE does not close the doors of diplomatic communication, but we judge by actions, not words.
Anwar Gargash
Global support
Gargash himself had earlier said that the UAE was going to reassess its regional and international relationships, determining “who can be relied upon,” while also strengthening its economic and financial systems to enhance resilience.
During the press conference, however, he revealed that the greatest support to the UAE and its defence efforts came from Western countries.
"There are countries we did not expect to take these positions, yet they reached out to us to provide actual support, even if we did not need it. In contrast, there are countries we expected better positions from that offered nothing in the early stages of the crisis, but they offered help at a very late stage."
We felt let down during this crisis by some Arab and friendly parties, but we rise above delving into those details.
Anwar Gargash
UAE's resilience shows
The war, which lasted almost 40 days, led to the UAE becoming more resilient and confident, announced Gargash.
He added that the nation emerged stronger, more resilient and more confident that it is capable of defending itself.
"...Life and movement continued in a normal manner, and supply chains were strong, financial liquidity was stable, and services continued at all their levels."
The Emirati model has triumphed.
Anwar Gargash
"Years ago, we realised that any security threat the UAE might face could come through missiles or drones or cyber attacks or terrorism. Under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, who is a military man, we built the UAE system to confront all these different threats through multi-layered air defence capabilities, a security system, and advanced cyber capabilities.
"We are proud of our armed forces and their capabilities, and we are ready for any escalation, God forbid, should it happen."
