Strong Signals from UAE Refusing to Expel US Military Base from Its Territory, Alluding to Iranian Threats

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The United Arab Emirates has given strong signals to continue maintaining the United States military base in the country. That base is considered not to be a threat to Iran. “Yes, that base is not a threat to Iran, because we guarantee that no missiles from our territory will be used to attack Iran,” said the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, and ASEAN, H.E. Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri, on Wednesday night (8/4/2026) when answering Republika’s question regarding Iran’s demand to close the US base in the Middle East. For a long time, Iran has considered the US bases in Gulf countries to be a threat. This base is seen as being used by Uncle Sam as one of the bases of power to launch aggression against Tehran. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the US has a military base at Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi, which houses around 5,000 military personnel. This base is considered crucial for intelligence operations, surveillance, and aerial refuelling. “Then what about Iran’s threats against us, what should we do,” said the Ambassador rhetorically. He believes that if Iran respects its neighbours, there will be peace. Conversely, if there is no such respect, it will be difficult. “So we respect our neighbours, and likewise our neighbours must respect us,” he said. The Ambassador emphasised that US attacks on Iran are launched via aircraft carriers or submarines. Even attacks launched via fighter jets.