UAE condemns Iranian attacks, reserves right to respond at Human Rights Council

GENEVA, 3rd March, 2026 (WAM) — The United Arab Emirates has affirmed that it reserves its full and legitimate right to respond to the Iranian attacks in accordance with international law, in order to protect its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

This came in a statement delivered by Shahad Matar, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva, during the country’s participation in the session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Matar explained that the UAE has been subjected to Iranian attacks involving ballistic missiles and drones targeting civilians and civilian objects within the country since 28th February, resulting in the death of three innocent civilians and the injury of 58 others.

She stressed that this blatant aggression constitutes a flagrant violation of the state’s sovereignty and a complete disregard for the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

She reiterated the UAE’s categorical rejection of the use of its territory as a platform for settling scores or expanding the scope of conflicts, and strongly condemned the attacks targeting the Gulf Cooperation Council states and Arab countries in the region, affirming full solidarity with the sisterly states.

She also called for restraint and adherence to dialogue and diplomatic solutions as the optimal means to safeguard regional security.

Matar concluded by noting that the UAE is home to more than 200 nationalities, many of whom are represented in the Human Rights Council, affirming that the attack was not only directed against the UAE, but against international principles themselves, and must be treated as such.