UAE signals war footing against Iran as Gulf focus shifts beyond ceasefire

The UAE has signalled that it is moving beyond calls for a ceasefire and towards a more openly confrontational posture against Iran. Abu Dhabi’s comments are the first public indication by a Gulf state that the priority is no longer simply ending the fighting but reshaping the regional balance of power after US and Israeli led war on Tehran.  UAE foreign minister Abdullah bin Zayed wrote on X that the Emirates would “never be blackmailed by terrorists”, while presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said Abu Dhabi’s thinking “does not stop at a ceasefire” but instead centres on “sustainable security” in the Gulf. We will never be blackmailed by terrorists https://t.co/gMSjGOII8V — عبدالله بن زايد (@ABZayed) March 22, 2026 Gargash said the […]