Iran Seen as 'Hero', UAE Ambassador: Reality on the Ground Tells a Different Story
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – Not a few members of the Indonesian public, including on social media, have defended Iran in the war against the US and Israel. Tehran is regarded as a ‘hero’ for daring to challenge the aggression of a superpower.
The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, and ASEAN, H.E. Abdulla Salem AlDhaheri, has asked all parties to look at the actual facts. What Iran has done is not entirely correct.
“I am certain that the reality on the ground tells a different story,” the Ambassador said during a press statement at his residence in Jakarta on Wednesday (8/4/2026).
According to Ambassador Abdulla Salem, instead of fully retaliating against Israel or attacking US bases, Iran has launched aggression against its neighbouring countries by striking various civilian infrastructure. “We assure you that none of our military bases have been used to attack Iran,” he said.
He also cited several data points on Iran’s attacks. Field data shows that more than 80 per cent (around 85 per cent) of Iran’s military strikes during this crisis have targeted GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries. Only 15 per cent have actually targeted Israeli objectives.
“The United Arab Emirates, along with its GCC partners, including Jordan, has successfully intercepted the majority of missiles and drones directed at our countries from Iran,” he said.
As of 7 April 2026, he noted, the UAE’s air defence system has successfully detected and intercepted 520 ballistic missiles, 26 cruise missiles, and 2,221 drones.
However, despite this widespread success, the Ambassador regrets that debris from the interceptions has fallen in civilian areas, resulting in fatalities and injuries. There has also been damage to vital civilian infrastructure, airports, ports, energy facilities, and residential areas. “These facts clearly show that these attacks are not limited to military targets.”
These facts also refute Iran’s claims that its brutal attacks on the United Arab Emirates and other GCC countries, including Jordan, target military bases and facilities.
“What we are witnessing is a dangerous shift towards targeting civilian infrastructure with the aim of damaging economic stability rather than achieving legitimate military objectives. Let me clarify this further,” he said.