Middle East war escalation? UAE weighs military action against Iranian missile launch sites

The United Arab Emirates is reportedly weighing the possibility of launching military strikes against Iranian missile and drone launch sites following sustained attacks on its territory, according to two sources familiar with the discussions cited by Axios. The deliberations signal a dramatic potential escalation in a widening regional conflict triggered by the United States–Israel bombing campaign against Iran.

Despite not formally participating in the war, the UAE has emerged as one of the most heavily targeted countries since hostilities began, enduring hundreds of missile and drone attacks directed at civilian infrastructure, energy facilities and urban centres.

“The UAE is considering taking active defensive measures against Iran. Although it has not been involved in the war in any way, it has still endured 800 projectiles,” a source familiar with Emirati policy discussions told Axios.

“The view in the UAE is that no country in the world would fail to evaluate its defensive posture under such circumstances,” the Axios report added.

In a statement cited in the report, the Emirati foreign ministry emphasised that the country “retains its right to self-defense.” The ministry added that the UAE “has not taken any decision to alter its defensive posture in response to the repeated Iranian attacks.”

The widening strikes have begun to disrupt regional energy infrastructure. Qatar suspended most of its natural gas production following attacks, while an Iranian drone struck the United States Embassy in Riyadh on Monday.

Within the UAE, debris from intercepted missiles ignited fires at the major Jebel Ali port, while a drone strike hit a luxury hotel on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah.

The incidents underscore how rapidly the conflict has spread beyond its original belligerents.

Israeli officials believe Saudi Arabia may also be evaluating potential responses following attacks on its territory, according to the Axios report.

Anwar Gargash, foreign policy adviser to the UAE president, criticised Tehran’s actions in a public message posted on X.

“Iran's attacks against Gulf states was a miscalculation and has isolated Iran at a critical juncture.”

“Your war is not with your neighbors, and this escalation only reinforces the narrative that Iran is the primary source of danger in the region and that its missile program is a constant source of instability,” he wrote.

According to the ministry, Iran launched 186 ballistic missiles toward the UAE. Of those, 172 were intercepted by air defence systems, 13 fell into the sea and one struck Emirati territory.

Iran also launched 812 drones toward the country. Authorities said 755 were intercepted, while 57 struck locations within the UAE.

The attacks have resulted in casualties among civilians and foreign nationals. Officials reported that three foreign nationals were killed and around 70 people were wounded.

“The UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens and residents,” the Defence Ministry said.

Since the United States and Israel began their bombing campaign, Iran has launched attacks against United States military bases and other targets across the Middle East. Countries affected include the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, including the Kurdish region.

President Trump said on Monday that Operation Epic Fury — the US-Israel military campaign against Iran — is expected to last four to five weeks, indicating that the region may face a prolonged period of instability.