United Arab Emirates Criticises Gulf States for Weak Response to Iran

A senior official from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has condemned its Gulf allies for their responses in facing Iran’s retaliatory attacks, following joint strikes by the United States (US) and Israel. UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash, as reported by AFP on Tuesday (28 April 2026), stated that Gulf countries had supported each other logistically during the crisis. However, he criticised their political and military responses. “The GCC’s stance is the weakest historically, given the nature of the attack and the threat it poses to everyone,” Gargash said, referring to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which comprises six Gulf states. Gargash said he “expected such a weak stance from the Arab League”, the organisation of 22 Middle Eastern and North African countries based in Cairo, Egypt. “But I did not expect it from the GCC, and I am surprised by it,” Gargash stated during a conference in Dubai, UAE. Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at GCC countries hosting US military assets, such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, after Washington and Tel Aviv launched a large-scale attack on Tehran on 28 February. The UAE became the Gulf state most heavily targeted by Iran’s attacks. Abu Dhabi’s authorities have adopted a firmer tone towards Tehran, while its neighbours appear more cautious. In his statement, Gargash noted that the Gulf monarchies have always had “difficult relations” with Iran. In recent years, Gargash said, they have pursued a “policy of restraint” through mediation, energy partnerships, strategic agreements, and, in the UAE’s case, trade relations. “But these policies have failed completely, and now we face a major reassessment,” he said.