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Published on Reflecto News | World News | Geopolitics
Dr. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has dismissed any prospect of a rapid restoration of trust with Iran, pointing to the sheer scale of the missile and drone attacks launched against his country during the recent war. His blunt assessment underscores how profoundly the conflict has reset regional relations.
“You can’t be attacked with 2,800 missiles and drones then talk to me about trust. That will take ages and ages.” — Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President
The Scale of the Attack: 2,800 Missiles and Drones
Gargash’s reference to “2,800 missiles and drones” is the first public acknowledgment by a senior UAE official of the total volume of Iranian fire directed at the country during the war. The UAE, a close US ally that hosts American forces at Al Dhafra Air Base, was a primary target of Iranian retaliation after Washington and Israel launched strikes against Tehran on February 28.
Iranian attacks on the UAE during the war included:
| Weapon Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Ballistic missiles | Dozens reportedly intercepted over UAE airspace |
| Cruise missiles | Targeted military and civilian infrastructure |
| One-way attack drones (UAVs) | Multiple waves launched against Emirati territory |
| Total claimed by Gargash | 2,800 missiles and drones combined |
The attacks caused civilian injuries, though precise figures remain classified. The UAE’s air defense systems, including THAAD and Patriot batteries, intercepted a significant portion of the incoming fire, but not all.
‘Trust Will Take Ages and Ages’
The Emirati adviser’s statement that trust-building will take “ages and ages” is a significant hardening of tone from the pre-war period, when the UAE had been actively pursuing de-escalation with Tehran. Abu Dhabi restored diplomatic relations with Iran in 2022 after a six-year rupture and hosted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in the months before the war.
That diplomatic opening has now been shattered. Gargash’s use of “you can’t be attacked” in the present tense implies that trust is not merely damaged but has been rendered impossible by the scale of the assault. His phrase “ages and ages” suggests that he does not expect a return to even the transactional relationship that existed before the war within any foreseeable timeframe.
The Gulf’s Unified Stance
Gargash’s comments align with a broader hardening of Gulf Arab positions toward Tehran. The six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain — have all been affected by the war, whether through direct attacks, economic disruption, or diplomatic pressure.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) positions on Iran:
| Country | Posture |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Has urged US to end blockade but remains deeply distrustful |
| UAE | Most hawkish; has reportedly lobbied for ground invasion |
| Qatar | Maintains communication with Tehran |
| Kuwait | Generally cautious |
| Oman | Traditional mediator; maintains ties |
| Bahrain | Close US ally, anti-Iran stance |
The war has unified the Gulf states in their assessment of the Iranian threat, at least for now, even as their tactical positions differ.
Implications for US Policy
Gargash’s statement poses a challenge for Washington. The United States is seeking a diplomatic off-ramp to the war that would include some form of nuclear restrictions and sanctions relief. Its Gulf allies, by contrast, are demanding the containment and isolation of Iran.
The UAE is expected to press Washington to maintain pressure on Tehran even after a ceasefire is finalized. That pressure could take the form of continued sanctions enforcement, naval interdiction of Iranian oil shipments, and enhanced security cooperation with the US military.
What Comes Next
The UAE’s position is clear: trust with Iran is not recoverable in the near term. Even if a nuclear deal is reached, the Emiratis will insist on enforceable guarantees regarding Iran’s missile program and its support for regional proxies.
For now, Gargash has drawn a line in the sand. The Islamic Republic attacked the UAE with an estimated 2,800 projectiles. In Abu Dhabi’s view, that bill will not be settled by diplomacy alone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many missiles and drones did the UAE face in the war?
According to Gargash, the UAE was attacked with 2,800 missiles and drones combined. This is the first public acknowledgment of the total volume of Iranian fire directed at the country.
2. Was the UAE trying to improve relations with Iran before the war?
Yes. The UAE restored diplomatic ties with Iran in 2022 after a six-year rupture and hosted Iranian President Pezeshkian in the months before the war.
3. What does the UAE want from any future Iran deal?
The UAE is demanding enforceable constraints on Iran’s ballistic missile program, an end to Iranian support for regional proxies, and robust monitoring of Iranian compliance.
4. Does the UAE still host US forces?
Yes. The UAE hosts US forces at Al Dhafra Air Base and other facilities, and it remains a close US ally.
5. Is the UAE alone in this assessment?
No. Other Gulf states have drawn similar conclusions about the Iranian threat, though their tactical positions vary.
6. What is Gargash’s role?
Dr. Anwar Gargash is the diplomatic adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MbZ). He is a senior official who helps shape Emirati foreign policy.
7. What is the status of US-Iran negotiations?
A ceasefire has been extended, but it remains fragile. Iran has refused to send a delegation for a second round of peace talks until the US lifts its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
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