Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: UAE slams ‘unwarranted’ targeting; Kuwait asserts ‘right to self-defence’

The United Arab Emirates said it has been targeted "in a very unwarranted manner" as Iran continues to launch drone and missile strikes at bases hosting US troops and energy infrastructure across West Asia, heightening tensions across the Gulf and disrupting key shipping lanes. Kuwait’s emir meanwhile told residents his country has a "full and inherent right to self-defence" as neighbouring states face escalating attacks. Australia has signalled practical support for the UAE, and regional energy facilities have come under fresh strikes that have rippled through global markets.

"The UAE does not seek to be drawn into conflict or escalation," said Jamal Al Musharakh, the UAE's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva. Officials in Abu Dhabi have also said the country "would not partake in any attacks against Iran" even as they report repeated targeting.

Context and recent developments

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles said the UAE has intercepted more than 1,500 rockets and drones since Iran began targeting countries around the Persian Gulf, and that Canberra aims to help the UAE defend against Iranian attacks and keep the region’s airspace open so Australians stranded there can return home. The government statement warned the growing number of "dangerous and destabilising attacks" puts civilians at risk.

• Energy and facilities: Iran carried out strikes on Gulf energy installations, including Bahrain’s large Al Ma'ameer oil facility, which was struck, set ablaze and damaged. Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) declared force majeure following the attack.
• Shipping and supplies: The conflict has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane. Ships carrying Indian rice, Australian meat and Indonesian coffee have reportedly been unable to pass through, contributing to market volatility for oil and other commodities.
• Domestic life in the UAE: Supermarket shelves in Dubai remain largely stocked as logistics systems, built out during the pandemic and the 2024 floods, continue to function. The UAE government has reassured residents that food reserves are sufficient for several months and that prices are being closely monitored, though some supplies are being rerouted by air or road.
• International rhetoric: US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran could end "soon. Very soon," while Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded that it would "determine the end of the war." Trump also spoke of an "ultimate victory" against Tehran's clerical leadership.

Outlook

For now, Gulf states are balancing defensive operations and diplomatic restraint: the UAE rejects being drawn into wider escalation even as it intercepts large numbers of incoming threats, and Kuwait asserts its right to respond if necessary. Continued attacks on energy infrastructure and the Strait of Hormuz could keep pressure on oil prices and supply chains. International involvement — from Australia’s announced support to ongoing US military posture in the region — suggests the crisis will remain a focal point for regional security and global markets in the near term. Authorities in the UAE and neighbouring countries say they are monitoring the situation closely while seeking to minimise civilian disruption.