UAE minister says holding Iran accountable vital to deterring further aggression
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.]During the latest Arab League Council meeting held on Sunday, March 29, the UAE's minister of state, Khalifa bin Shaheen Al Marar, stated that holding Iran accountable and making it bear the consequences of the aggression were fundamental to deterring it. The 165th session, chaired by Bahrain, saw a declaration being issued regarding the 'Iranian terrorist attacks' on the security and sovereignty of several Arab states.While speaking on the February 28 attacks, the minister stressed the day marked a "dangerous turning point in the geopolitical and geostrategic landscape of the Arab region".Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels."The Iranian terrorist aggression against the UAE and other brotherly Arab states has ushered us into a highly perilous and pivotal moment that will have profoundly complex repercussions not only on the regional stage but also on the Arab and international scene," he said.Right to self-defenceAs daily Iran attacks continue across the region, the minister asserted the countries' right to self-defence.Describing the daily attacks, the minister said the barrage of ballistic missiles and suicide drones, deliberately and repeatedly targeting civilian landmarks, facilities, and vital civilian infrastructure, including ports, airports, shopping centres, residential neighbourhoods, energy production and processing facilities and centres, water desalination plants, information and communications centres, and even diplomatic and consular headquarters, has resulted in civilian casualties of various nationalities, both dead and wounded.Calling the Iranian aggression "illegal and unjustified", Marar said these attacks are a flagrant violation of the countries’ sovereignty, international law, and the UN Charter and a serious threat to regional and international peace and security.The minister also reinforced the UAE's right to self-defence. He said, "While we retain the right to self-defence under international law and to take all necessary measures to protect our sovereignty, security, stability, territory, citizens, residents, and institutions, Iran’s attempts to justify or excuse its aggression are unacceptable and must be countered.”He emphasised the importance of Iran fully implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), adopted on March 11, which condemned Iran’s terrorist attacks as threats to international peace and security and called for their immediate cessation, highlighting that these acts are unjustified and violate international law and the UN Charter.The minister noted that the resolution "affirmed our countries' right to self-defence in the face of this aggression".Holding Iran accountable"The UAE has dealt with these terrorist attacks with the utmost restraint. However, we affirm that the UAE, which has been subjected to the largest number of Iranian terrorist attacks, is fully prepared to confront all threats with competence and high efficiency. The UAE will not compromise on protecting its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and the safety of all its residents and visitors, and we reserve our full and inherent right to self-defence in accordance with international law," he said.He also paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the attacks, saying, "With utmost reverence, the souls of our martyrs from our armed forces and the civilians we lost as a result of this aggression... Their sacrifices will never be forgotten, and their memory remains a guiding light that compels us to constantly strive to protect our peoples and homelands. We are proud of the efforts of our armed forces and air defence systems in confronting these treacherous attacks."Support from Arab countriesThe minister also urged Arab nations to take a united and resolute stand, leaving no room for justifications for 'Iran’s treacherous aggression', and to reinforce collective efforts through international forums to hold Iran accountable for its serious violations against Gulf countries, international law, and the UN Charter.He emphasised that ensuring Iran faces the consequences of its aggression is vital to deter any future attacks.He stressed that Iran must comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), stop its attacks on the UAE and other non-conflicted regional states, and respect international law, 'stop threatening or using force and immediately and unconditionally halt aggression while respecting our sovereignty, territorial integrity, and airspace'.He added that Iran should also respect freedom of navigation and avoid threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.He said, 'Iran’s attempts to block or threaten passage constitute a serious violation of international law and maritime law, posing risks to trade, energy security, the global economy, and ultimately international peace and security.'He also urged Arab nations and allies to back
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.]
During the latest Arab League Council meeting held on Sunday, March 29, the UAE's minister of state, Khalifa bin Shaheen Al Marar, stated that holding Iran accountable and making it bear the consequences of the aggression were fundamental to deterring it.
The 165th session, chaired by Bahrain, saw a declaration being issued regarding the 'Iranian terrorist attacks' on the security and sovereignty of several Arab states.
While speaking on the February 28 attacks, the minister stressed the day marked a "dangerous turning point in the geopolitical and geostrategic landscape of the Arab region".
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
"The Iranian terrorist aggression against the UAE and other brotherly Arab states has ushered us into a highly perilous and pivotal moment that will have profoundly complex repercussions not only on the regional stage but also on the Arab and international scene," he said.
Right to self-defence
As daily Iran attacks continue across the region, the minister asserted the countries' right to self-defence.
Describing the daily attacks, the minister said the barrage of ballistic missiles and suicide drones, deliberately and repeatedly targeting civilian landmarks, facilities, and vital civilian infrastructure, including ports, airports, shopping centres, residential neighbourhoods, energy production and processing facilities and centres, water desalination plants, information and communications centres, and even diplomatic and consular headquarters, has resulted in civilian casualties of various nationalities, both dead and wounded.
Calling the Iranian aggression "illegal and unjustified", Marar said these attacks are a flagrant violation of the countries’ sovereignty, international law, and the UN Charter and a serious threat to regional and international peace and security.
The minister also reinforced the UAE's right to self-defence. He said, "While we retain the right to self-defence under international law and to take all necessary measures to protect our sovereignty, security, stability, territory, citizens, residents, and institutions, Iran’s attempts to justify or excuse its aggression are unacceptable and must be countered.”
He emphasised the importance of Iran fully implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), adopted on March 11, which condemned Iran’s terrorist attacks as threats to international peace and security and called for their immediate cessation, highlighting that these acts are unjustified and violate international law and the UN Charter.
The minister noted that the resolution "affirmed our countries' right to self-defence in the face of this aggression".
Holding Iran accountable
"The UAE has dealt with these terrorist attacks with the utmost restraint. However, we affirm that the UAE, which has been subjected to the largest number of Iranian terrorist attacks, is fully prepared to confront all threats with competence and high efficiency. The UAE will not compromise on protecting its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and the safety of all its residents and visitors, and we reserve our full and inherent right to self-defence in accordance with international law," he said.
He also paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the attacks, saying, "With utmost reverence, the souls of our martyrs from our armed forces and the civilians we lost as a result of this aggression... Their sacrifices will never be forgotten, and their memory remains a guiding light that compels us to constantly strive to protect our peoples and homelands. We are proud of the efforts of our armed forces and air defence systems in confronting these treacherous attacks."
Support from Arab countries
The minister also urged Arab nations to take a united and resolute stand, leaving no room for justifications for 'Iran’s treacherous aggression', and to reinforce collective efforts through international forums to hold Iran accountable for its serious violations against Gulf countries, international law, and the UN Charter.
He emphasised that ensuring Iran faces the consequences of its aggression is vital to deter any future attacks.
He stressed that Iran must comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), stop its attacks on the UAE and other non-conflicted regional states, and respect international law, 'stop threatening or using force and immediately and unconditionally halt aggression while respecting our sovereignty, territorial integrity, and airspace'.
He added that Iran should also respect freedom of navigation and avoid threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
He said, 'Iran’s attempts to block or threaten passage constitute a serious violation of international law and maritime law, posing risks to trade, energy security, the global economy, and ultimately international peace and security.'
He also urged Arab nations and allies to back efforts at the UN Security Council to address the situation and prevent threats to the Strait of Hormuz, supporting the UAE’s draft resolution at the Council.
“Coexistence with the Iranian regime is no longer possible"
He emphasised that the UAE has always sought security and stability in the region, focusing on development and prosperity for its peoples, grounded in tolerance, coexistence, and solidarity.
However, in light of 'Iran’s aggressive and unjustified terrorist attacks', he said that 'coexistence with the Iranian regime is no longer possible' under its current behaviour toward regional states. He added that addressing the Iranian threat, including its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, drones, and threats to trade and navigation, is essential to achieving and maintaining lasting peace in the region.
The minister also stated that “in light of Iran’s terrorism against our countries, the Arab League faces a crossroads: either full solidarity and a firm stance against Iranian terrorism or institutional inaction and ineffectiveness, rendering it irrelevant to major regional challenges."
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