UAE VOWS TO ‘LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED’ TO DEFEND ITSELF AMID ESCALATING REGIONAL ATTACKS

ISTANBUL, March 4 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will “leave no stone unturned” to protect itself amid escalating attacks in the Gulf, Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.

In an interview with CNN on Sunday (March 1), Al Hashimy described the current situation as “unprecedented.”

“Unfortunately, we're in a situation right now where Iran has, through very unjustifiable and very unlawful measures, taken attacks not just to the UAE but also to the rest of the Gulf and beyond. That is something that we do not accept.

“We have one of the best defence systems in the world, and we are doing everything to ensure the safety and security of our people,” she said.

Al Hashimy stressed that the UAE continues to urge de-escalation while emphasising that the country is working with partners all around the world and receiving not only support and coordination, but also severe condemnation, which has taken a much larger regional standpoint by really implicating other countries in the Gulf as well.

Emphasising that diplomacy remains the preferred path to resolve tensions, Al Hashimy said the country remains prepared to respond if necessary, noting that the response would depend and “it's a really fluid and dynamic situation right now.”

“But rest assured, to the people of this country, that we will leave no stone unturned to make sure that we do defend ourselves and we are prepared for that. We hope it doesn't come to it.

“But by the same token, we're not going to sit idly by as we continue to be recipients of such a barrage of attacks that are unlawful and unjustified as well,” she emphasised.

Asked whether the UAE might shift from its position of not allowing the use of its bases for United States (US) operations against Iran to a more combative role, Al Hashimy stressed that the country will not allow its territories be used to attack Iran.

“We have, before this began, been very clear about not having our territories be used to attack Iran.

“We have always encouraged dialogue, and we have wanted to make sure that it doesn't amount to this because our region doesn't need another war. By the same token, if it needs to come to that, it will come to that.

“The ball is in Iran's court right now about how they want to deal with a neighbourhood and a neighbour that has traditionally been a very fair and good neighbour to them as well,” the minister said.

When asked whether the killing of the Iranian supreme leader had closed the door on diplomacy, she emphasised that the door for diplomacy “never closes.”

“We continue to engage because we continue to want to de-escalate and we want to find other ways, other security arrangements that are helpful for this larger region,” she added.

Highlighting the UAE’s geographic and ecological proximity to Iran, she said: “Iran is a neighbour to us, will always be a neighbour to us geographically, but also we share a lot of similar ecosystems in a very close and tight-knit region.”

She noted that “it takes two to tangle” and highlighted that the ongoing barrage of attacks against the UAE and other countries in the Gulf, as well as Jordan and Iraq, represents a major escalation, and “not indicative of an Iran that wants to be in the region with its fellow neighbourhood.”

On Iran’s leadership and governance, Al Hashimy said that they have always reiterated that it is “for the Iranian people to decide.”

She stressed that the UAE “doesn't get involved in how different countries are governed or how different countries choose their government,” adding that the country hopes for “a friendly neighbour that wants to live side by side with the UAE and its surrounding region.

Al Hashimy said the UAE maintains “a very strong strategic relationship with the US and a strong relationship with President Trump as well. They are our allies, and they are our friends.”

She emphasised that the UAE also upholds robust partnerships with other regional countries and beyond, with the main objective being “to find a way out of more conflict and war in this part of the world that has already seen far too much of it.”

“Really, to emphasise that you are safe with a leadership that cares for you and that will do everything they possibly can to ensure that that safety continues.

“We need to salute our defence forces, law enforcement, all of the civil defence teams and police forces,” she said while highlighting the role of defence and civil forces.

She emphasised that despite some minor damage, the UAE has remained relatively safe.

“We will really leave no stone unturned to make sure that that continues to be the case for all of our citizens and residents alike,” she said.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU