Relations between the of Islamic Republic of Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were officially severed in March 2026, ending a period of transactional engagement defined by proximity and long-standing territorial disputes. While the two nations previously maintained diplomatic missions, the UAE closed its embassy in Tehran on March 1, 2026, following a series of unprovoked Iranian missile and drone strikes on Emirati territory.[1]
This military escalation during the 2026 US–Iran conflict effectively terminated the "cautious de-escalation" policy previously pursued by Abu Dhabi. Despite a large Iranian diaspora in the Emirate of Dubai and historical links between coastal communities in southern Iran and the UAE, the relationship has shifted into active military confrontation. Following the targeting of Al Dhafra Air Base and civilian infrastructure by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the UAE Ministry of Interior began a widespread crackdown on IRGC-linked espionage networks within the country.[2]
History
In recent decades, there have been tensions over three islands in the Persian Gulf: Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb.[3][4] Both the UAE and Iran have maintained that they are trying to find a solution to this issue according to the rules of international law.
Outstanding conflicts are:
UAE challenges Iran's sovereignty over three islands in the Persian Gulf while Iran considers them as its inseparable parts: Lesser Tunb (called Tunb-al-Sughra in Arabic and Tonb-e-Kuchak in Persian) and Greater Tunb (called Tunb-al-Kubra in Arabic and Tonb-e-Bozorg in Persian). The islands have been in Iran's control since November 1971, following the departure of British forces from the Persian Gulf, and a few days before UAE's declaration of independence in December 1971.[5]
UAE has disputed Iran's sovereignty over Abu Musa, an island in the Persian Gulf that was agreed in a 1971 memorandum of understanding to be jointly administered with Iran for civil matters in the southern part of the island (called Jazirat-Abu-Musa in Arabic and Jazireh-ye-Abu-Musa in Persian). The island was under Iranian control until Britain gained control in 1908. In the late 1960s, Britain transferred administration of the island to the British-appointed Sharjah sheikhdom, one of the seven sheikdoms that would later form the UAE. On November 30, 1971 (two days before the official establishment of UAE), Iran and Sharjah signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly administer a part of the island based on a map annexed to the memorandum, allowing Iran to station military forces and the Sharjah sheikhdom to maintain a limited number of police in the island. However, Iran has taken steps to exert unilateral control since 1992, including access restrictions and a military build-up on the island, as well as expelling the foreign workers who operated the UAE-sponsored school, medical clinic, and power-generating station.
Iran has criticized the UAE for allowing France to develop its first permanent base in the Persian Gulf[6] and generally considers the UAE's permission for stationing the western powers' military forces in the region as a threat to its national security.
UAE demonstrates political support for Saudi Arabia, Iran's rival. The Government of Iran claims that UAE and Saudi Arabia collaborate with each other in attempt to destabilize Iran.
On November 28, 2013, the foreign minister of the UAE visited Iran.[8] In late July 2019, an Emirati delegation of coast guard commanders have met with their Iranian counterparts in Tehran for the first time in six years, in order to improve maritime co-operation in the Strait of Hormuz.[9][10]
In the aftermath of 2016 attack on the Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran, the United Arab Emirates had criticized Iran for not protecting Saudi diplomat missionary, however, unlike Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar which withdrew its ambassadors, the United Arab Emirates maintains its diplomatic mission in the country, just limited its diplomatic relations.[11]
Iran-backed Houthis
In 2019, Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen fired a number of missiles at Abu Dhabi International Airport and Dubai International Airport, but the UAE denied that any missiles reached the country.[12][13] In 2022, Iran-backed Houthis fired multiple missiles and drones at Abu Dhabi targeting oil tankers and an under-construction airport infrastructure in response to territorial losses to Emirati trained Giants Brigade in Yemen. Although all of the missiles and multiple drones were intercepted, a drone hit an oil tanker and killed 3 civilians and injured 6 others.[14]
Relations suffered a huge decline following the Israel–United Arab Emirates normalization agreement in August 2020. The Iranian government and Palestinian government condemned the deal as a "dangerous" stab in the back of Palestinians and Muslims, and called it a "shameful" act of "strategic stupidity" by the UAE. Iran claimed that this would only serve to strengthen the "Axis of Resistance" in the Middle East, and that the Palestinians and people of the world would never forgive the UAE.[15] Numerous threats from Iran were pointed against the United Arab Emirates following its effort to normalize relations with Israel.[16] In response, the UAE's Foreign Ministry summoned Iran's chargé d'affaires on 16 August and criticized Rouhani's speech as "unacceptable and inflammatory" which could impact the security scenario of the Gulf. It also stated that protecting the Emirati embassy in Tehran was Iran's duty.[17]
The Chief of Staff of the Iranian armed forcesMohammad Bagheri meanwhile said that their strategy towards the UAE would now shift and the UAE would be held responsible in case of an attack on Iran through the Persian Gulf.[18] The conservative newspaper Kayhan, whose editor-in-chief is appointed by the Supreme Leader of Iran, warned that the agreement had turned the UAE into a "legitimate, easy target".[19]
Following the Israel-Hezbollah conflict and Iran's October 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel, the UAE, along with other Arab countries, has been warned by Iran through secret diplomatic channels not to assist Israel or the US in any attack on Iran. Arab officials have indicated that Iran would retaliate against these states if their territories or airspace were used in such operations.[20][21]
On November 24, 2024, an Israeli-MoldovanRabbi by the name Zvi Kogan, a resident of the UAE was kidnapped and later murdered. Suspicion rose this was done by or with an Iranian involvement, at the moment Iran has denied its involvement in this murder.[22]
Iranian businesses have a major presence in the UAE. Around 8,000 Iranian traders and trading firms are registered in the UAE, according to the local Iranian Business Council. Iranians are estimated to account for roughly 500,000 in UAE.[26] Trade between Dubai and Iran tripled to $12 billion from 2005 to 2009.[27] UAE's exports to Iran are four times greater than its imports from Iran.[28] The Iranian businesses in UAE own more than $300 billion there.[29]
2025 Iran-Israel war
Following the Iran-Israel War, the UAE has decided to allow Iranian citizens to overstay within the country until the regional conflict subsides. This decision applies to both visitors and residents.[30]
2026 involvement in the Israeli American - Iran conflict
In February 2026, the United Arab Emirates was directly affected by Iranian missile and drone attacks during a broader regional escalation following 2026 Israeli–United States strikes on Iran. As part of retaliatory operations, Iran launched projectiles toward multiple Gulf states, including the UAE. Multiple powerful explosions were reported in parts of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and visible impacts were recorded in urban areas.
International media outlets reported damage to civilian infrastructure, including Dubai International Airport and other prominent sites. Fires were reported in parts of Dubai, including near major hotel and commercial districts. Emirati authorities stated that national air defense systems intercepted a significant number of incoming missiles and drones; however, debris and impact effects resulted in confirmed casualties and structural damage. At least one civilian fatality and multiple injuries were reported within the UAE during the escalation.[32][33][34]
The attacks led to temporary airspace closures and widespread flight disruptions across the Gulf region. The UAE government condemned the escalation and called for restraint and diplomatic de-escalation. On March 1, the UAE government withdrew its ambassador and all diplomatic staff from Iran, citing "acts of aggression against civilian sites".[35] The events marked one of the most direct military confrontations affecting UAE territory in the context of modern Iran–UAE relations.
The strikes against UAE, and other Gulf nations, are part of a plan Khamenei designed before his death, ordering that in the case of war with the United States and Israel, Iran will cause regional chaos across the middle east, with the purpose of pushing their Gulf neighbors to pressure for a halt to the attacks on Iran.[36]
Following the ongoing Iranian strike on the UAE its considering freezing billions of dollars in Iranian assets. Authorities are reportedly targeting Iranian bank accounts, companies, and trade networks in a move that could significantly disrupt Tehran’s access to foreign currency and signal a stronger UAE stance against Iran.[37][38]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
