REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA \u2013 Not a few members of the Indonesian\npublic, including on social media, have defended Iran in the war against\nthe US and Israel. Tehran is regarded as a \u2018hero\u2019 for daring to\nchallenge the aggression of a superpower.<\/p>\n
The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of\nIndonesia, the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, and ASEAN, H.E.\nAbdulla Salem AlDhaheri, has asked all parties to look at the actual\nfacts. What Iran has done is not entirely correct.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am certain that the reality on the ground tells a different\nstory,\u201d the Ambassador said during a press statement at his residence in\nJakarta on Wednesday (8\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n
According to Ambassador Abdulla Salem, instead of fully retaliating\nagainst Israel or attacking US bases, Iran has launched aggression\nagainst its neighbouring countries by striking various civilian\ninfrastructure. \u201cWe assure you that none of our military bases have been\nused to attack Iran,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He also cited several data points on Iran\u2019s attacks. Field data shows\nthat more than 80 per cent (around 85 per cent) of Iran\u2019s military\nstrikes during this crisis have targeted GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council)\ncountries. Only 15 per cent have actually targeted Israeli\nobjectives.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe United Arab Emirates, along with its GCC partners, including\nJordan, has successfully intercepted the majority of missiles and drones\ndirected at our countries from Iran,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
As of 7 April 2026, he noted, the UAE\u2019s air defence system has\nsuccessfully detected and intercepted 520 ballistic missiles, 26 cruise\nmissiles, and 2,221 drones.<\/p>\n
However, despite this widespread success, the Ambassador regrets that\ndebris from the interceptions has fallen in civilian areas, resulting in\nfatalities and injuries. There has also been damage to vital civilian\ninfrastructure, airports, ports, energy facilities, and residential\nareas. \u201cThese facts clearly show that these attacks are not limited to\nmilitary targets.\u201d<\/p>\n
These facts also refute Iran\u2019s claims that its brutal attacks on the\nUnited Arab Emirates and other GCC countries, including Jordan, target\nmilitary bases and facilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we are witnessing is a dangerous shift towards targeting\ncivilian infrastructure with the aim of damaging economic stability\nrather than achieving legitimate military objectives. Let me clarify\nthis further,\u201d he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/iran-seen-as-hero-uae-ambassador-reality-on-the-ground-tells-a-different-story-1775667048", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }