Middle East Tensions Rise, MBZ: We Are Not Easy Targets

The President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ), has spoken on the escalation of the Middle East conflict amid the US-Israel war with Iran, saying his country is in good shape. According to Reuters on Sunday, 8 March 2026, this was his first public comment since Iran launched missiles at Gulf neighbours amid the US-Israel attacks. He stressed that the UAE is not a soft target.

‘We have thick skin and bitter flesh—we are not easy prey,’ MBZ said. He added that the UAE, which comprises seven emirates including Dubai, will protect everyone within the country. ‘We will fulfil our obligations to the country, our people, and the residents (foreign nationals) who are also part of our family.’

Israel and the United States began launching large-scale strikes against Iran on 28 February. Since then, Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks against Israel and US interests in regional states, particularly in the Gulf.

Since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran, three people have died and hundreds have been wounded in attacks on the UAE. The UAE Ministry of Defence said the armed forces are ready to face any threat.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian previously apologised to neighbouring countries for Iran’s attacks across the region. ‘I must apologise on my own behalf and on behalf of Iran to the neighbouring countries that have been attacked by Iran,’ he said in a televised address reported by AFP on Saturday (7 March).

‘The leadership council yesterday agreed that there will be no further attacks against neighbouring countries and no missiles will be fired unless the attack on Iran originates from those countries,’ he added.

The leadership council has led Iran since the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week, in the US and Israel’s attack that triggered the war in the Middle East.

Pezeshkian also said that Iran would never surrender to Israel and the United States as the Middle East war enters its second week. ‘Iran’s enemies must carry their desire for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves,’ he said in his address on Saturday (7 March).