The recently announced ceasefire between Iran and the United States has brought a sense of relief to the international community, signaling a potential de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East. However, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed significant discontent regarding the diplomatic process. According to official reports, the UAE's grievance is primarily directed at Pakistan, which served as the 'messenger' or intermediary in the negotiations, while the UAE leadership feels that its strategic interests and the heavy losses it sustained during the conflict weren't adequately addressed in the final terms of the agreement.
Pakistan's Mediation and the Exclusion of UAE Interests
Experts in the UAE have pointed out that Pakistan executed the ceasefire process largely at the behest of the United States, without taking regional allies like the UAE into confidence. Amjad Taha, a prominent regional expert, stated that Pakistan failed to involve the UAE in the critical stages of the negotiation. Plus, the ceasefire announcement reportedly made no mention of the UAE, despite the country being a primary target of Iranian aggression during the hostilities, while ali al-Nuaimi, Chairman of the Manara Center, described the exclusion as a 'betrayal,' noting that the UAE was neither consulted nor informed about the specifics of the deal.
Extensive Damage and Casualties Sustained by the UAE
Data from the UAE Ministry of Defence and reports by the Financial Times highlight the severity of the attacks faced by the Emirates during the month-long escalation. Iran reportedly launched over 2200 drones and 500 ballistic missiles targeting UAE territories, including major hubs like Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi. Officials confirmed that these strikes resulted in the deaths of 10 Emirati nationals. On top of that, 26 cruise missiles were deployed against UAE infrastructure. The UAE's frustration stems from the fact that despite bearing the brunt of the physical conflict, its security guarantees weren't prioritized in the ceasefire framework.
Disputes Over the Strait of Hormuz and Diplomatic Shifts
A significant point of contention involves the arrangements regarding the Strait of Hormuz. According to policy expert Al-Khalifa, Pakistan had previously abstained from UN voting concerning the Strait but accepted Iran's conditions during the ceasefire negotiations. This is seen as a major setback for the UAE, which has long advocated for international control or a joint military force to secure the vital waterway, while the UAE had proposed such a force at the UN twice in collaboration with Bahrain, but the proposals failed to pass. The current deal is perceived as favoring Iranian interests over regional maritime security.
Historical Context and UAE's Military Preparedness
The friction between the UAE and Iran is rooted in a long-standing territorial dispute dating back to 1905, involving three strategic islands in the Persian Gulf. Reports from the Wall Street Journal indicated that prior to the ceasefire, the UAE was preparing for a sustained military engagement and had discussed these plans with US officials. The UAE had also imposed strict sanctions on Iranian nationals and was seeking to weaken the Iranian administration's regional influence. The sudden ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan, has effectively halted these strategic objectives, leaving the historical territorial issues unresolved.
Concerns Over Future Security and Accountability
The primary concern for the UAE remains the lack of a definitive guarantee that Iranian attacks won't resume. Analysts argue that the ceasefire doesn't explicitly hold Iran accountable for future regional aggression. While Anwar Gargash, advisor to the UAE President, officially maintained a stance of strength, the underlying diplomatic tension is evident. The UAE questions who will take responsibility if the ceasefire is violated. The perceived lack of transparency in the Pakistan-led mediation has created a diplomatic rift, as the UAE continues to seek a more strong security framework that protects its borders and economic interests.