The UAE is a federation of seven emirates in Western Asia, bordering the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Known for its strategic energy exports, pro-Western alignment, Abraham Accords normalization with Israel, and hosting major U.S. military assets. Recently, the UAE has sustained Iranian missile and drone attacks on its territory, conducted retaliatory strikes on Iranian targets, and pursued simultaneous diplomatic engagement with Iran while deepening defense ties with the U.S. and Israel. Last updated 5 days ago
Bloomberg: UAE's ADNOC has proposed that Iraq keep exporting oil through the Strait of Hormuz using so-called "dark transit."
Small tankers would carry Iraqi crude through the strait with tracking off at times, then transfer the cargo to other tankers outside the Gulf bound for Asian markets.
UAE President Sheikh MBZ made another surprise public appearance today, visiting a Mall in Abu Dhabi and greeting shoppers and staff.
This isn’t his first time. Unannounced public visits have become an MBZ signature move, it’s his way of checking in and hearing directly from the people.
UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash: The region cannot remain in a state of neither war nor peace forever.
He said lasting stability requires clear vision and cannot rest on fragile arrangements separated from international law, respect for sovereignty and the logic of peace. "The goal is to move to sustainable stability governed by clear and shared rules."
Guinea-Bissau came close to recognizing Somaliland before Somalia intervened with backing from Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Hargeisa has also been lobbying Eswatini, South Sudan and other African states, supported by the UAE and Israel, according to Mada Masr.
ADNOC, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and the UAE’s state owned energy company, says 15 of its vessels have been hit by missile and drone attacks while transiting the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began.
Amid the crisis between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is working to establish a parallel axis. Potential partners named include Turkey, Iran, Qatar, Egypt and Pakistan.
Israel is weighing plans to protect the Palestinian militia members it runs in Gaza within the Yellow Line. Among the ideas: moving clan members into "New Rafah," a Hamas-free city to be built by the UAE.
Iran appears to have taken warning action against the empty tanker Velos Amber as it entered the Persian Gulf via the Omani lane on Sunday, shipping sources say. The vessel continued on and was off the UAE coast by early Monday.
“I was asked by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran to hold off strikes. It would have been a massive attack. When the allies asked to call it off, you gotta say, ‘Well, let’s see.’
There is a deal on Hormuz, and it will be a deal on the nuclear.”
“Based on statements from the Trump regime, it seems quite possible that after months of barbaric threats, tonight will be the last night of normality in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahra...
Senior advisor to the Iranian government Marandi:
“Based on statements from the Trump regime, it seems quite possible that after months of barbaric threats, tonight will be the last night of normality in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, and possibly Oman. If strikes are carried out against Iran's civilian infrastructure, the critical infrastructure of these complicit regimes - along with that of the Zionist regime and perhaps Jordan- will be demolished. People in these regimes should immediately prepare for evacuation.”
NEW: CENTCOM and the UAE have agreed to establish Task Force Talon Synapse, the first bilateral military AI task force between the two countries.
Based in Abu Dhabi, the team will focus on AI for intelligence, critical infrastructure protection, and regional security monitoring, with operations expected to begin in the coming weeks.
CENTCOM and the UAE have agreed to launch Task Force Talon Synapse, the first bilateral task force built to accelerate military AI. Based in Abu Dhabi, it will run around 20 U.S. and Emirati specialists in AI, data, and cybersecurity, with a formal launch in the coming weeks.
The Financial Times reports that the UAE is reopening diplomatic and commercial ties with Iran while simultaneously strengthening defense cooperation with the U.S. and Israel.
The strategy reflects Abu Dhabi’s effort to reduce tensions with Tehran without weakening its security partnerships, balancing economic interests with regional deterrence.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Waltz on the Saudi nuclear deal:
"This is civil nuclear power, just like we have with the United Arab Emirates--the 123 agreement that we've had for over a decade.
There is no enrichment technology being provid...
U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Waltz on the Saudi nuclear deal:
"This is civil nuclear power, just like we have with the United Arab Emirates--the 123 agreement that we've had for over a decade.
There is no enrichment technology being provided to the Saudis, that will be done here in the United States... countries around the world have been buying from Russia, been buying from China... we want our partners buying from us.
They will be buying civil nuclear reactors from the United States with full inspections in place, and no enrichment happening on Saudi soil."
NEW: The WSJ reports that Bahrain and Kuwait secretly sent jets to strike sites inside Iran, their first direct retaliation against Tehran. The jets hit drone and missile storage depots. The UAE provided intelligence and defensive air cover for the operation.
The Trump administration widened UAE access to advanced U.S. technologies over warnings from Commerce officials, who flagged the risk of the tech reaching China.
The UAE condemned Iran's attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan as a violation of sovereignty and reaffirmed full solidarity with the three states, per the Foreign Ministry.
The UAE says it is deeply concerned over the regional escalation and is calling for an immediate halt to hostilities, maximum restraint, and a swift return to negotiations.
It demanded safe, uninterrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, calling it vital to the global economy, and an end to strikes on civilian infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, desalination plants and energy facilities, describing such attacks as a serious violation of international law.
UAE presidential diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash: "Promoting the collective cooperation of the Gulf Cooperation Council has become an urgent necessity. The council was established to strengthen the security and stability of member states."
