Iran 'Lying' About Targeting US Bases In Gulf As Civilian Sites Are Hit, Says UAE Diplomat

Iran's claims that its attacks in the Gulf are aimed at US military bases are false, a top UAE diplomat has said, warning that missile and drone strikes have instead been hitting civilian infrastructure and vital facilities.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, said the number of missiles and drones launched reveals a reality different from Tehran's narrative.

“Iran's aggression lies when it claims that the targets are US military bases in the Gulf,” Gargash wrote.

He said the strikes have been targeting civilian infrastructure without regard for civilians and innocent people.

Gargash also praised the country's defence capabilities, expressing gratitude for what he described as the efficiency of the UAE's national systems in intercepting the attacks.

Evidence of civilian infrastructure being affected was seen earlier on Wednesday, when authorities in Dubai confirmed that two drones fell in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport, leaving four civilians injured.

According to the Dubai Media Office, two Ghanaian nationals and one Bangladeshi national sustained minor injuries, while an Indian national suffered moderate injuries.

Officials also said that loud sounds heard across parts of the city were the result of successful air defence interception operations.

The incident comes amid a wave of missile and drone attacks linked to the wider regional conflict. Since February 28, four civilians have been killed and more than 100 others injured in the UAE after debris from intercepted projectiles fell across different parts of the country.

The casualties reflect the UAE's diverse population, with victims including expatriate residents from several countries who live and work in the Emirates.

During the country's participation at the United Nations Human Rights Council, the UAE said it had been subjected to Iranian attacks involving ballistic missiles and drones "targeting civilians and civilian objects" since February 28.

Authorities have repeatedly stressed that the UAE has not permitted the use of its territory, territorial waters or airspace for any attack against Iran, maintaining that it remains outside the conflict even as its cities and infrastructure have come under fire.

Addressing a media briefing last week, Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, said that targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure represents a clear violation of international law.

The Gulf Cooperation Council also reviewed the extensive damage caused by what it described as“treacherous Iranian attacks”, saying they had targeted civilian facilities, service sites and residential areas, causing significant material damage and threatening the safety of citizens and residents.

Any defensive action by UAE will be announced publicly, not through leaks: Top diplomat 'Target destroyed': UAE releases new footage of air defences intercepting Iranian drones

MENAFN11032026000049011007ID1110848724