UAE president says country is well and is no easy prey in first public comments since Iran strikes

Says govt will carry out its duty towards the country, its people and its residents

The ⁠president of the ⁠United Arab Emirates said ​his nation was in a time ‌of war but ‌was well and told ⁠his ⁠enemies it was no easy prey, in ​his first public comments since Iran launched missiles at its Gulf ​neighbour amid US-Israeli strikes.

"The UAE has ⁠thick ⁠skin and bitter ⁠flesh — ​we are no easy prey," Mohammed bin ​Zayed ⁠Al Nahyan, who is also ruler of Abu Dhabi, said in comments, made on ⁠Friday when visiting those injured in strikes, aired ⁠on Abu Dhabi TV on Saturday.

رئيس الدولة يؤكد أن دولة الإمارات تضع أمنها وسلامة شعبها والمقيمين فيها وزوارها في مقدمة أولوياتها، وسموّه يتوجه بالشكر للقوات المسلحة والأجهزة الأمنية والفرق الوطنية على جهودهم، مشيداً بوعي أفراد المجتمع من الإماراتيين والمقيمين الذين عبَّروا عن حبهم للدولة. pic.twitter.com/UXmAA9EPXv

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) March 7, 2026

"We will carry out our duty towards our country, our people, and our residents who are also part of our family," he said.

The ⁠UAE, which consists of seven emirates including Dubai, would protect everyone in the country, he said.

Tensions in the Middle East surged last week after US and Israeli air strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several senior officials, sparking retaliatory attacks from Tehran and broadening the regional conflict.

In response, Iran targeted US military bases across multiple Gulf countries, significantly escalating the confrontation.