UAE Diplomatic Adviser Dr Anwar Gargash Warns That Attacks on Saudi Arabia Directly Threaten Emirates Security

Attacks directed at Saudi Arabia pose a direct threat to the security and prosperity of the UAE, according to Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed. Speaking at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai on Thursday, Dr Gargash referenced a reported Houthi attack that targeted Makkah on Tuesday evening, where a drone was successfully intercepted and destroyed before entering the airspace of the holy city.

During his address, Dr Gargash also emphasized the critical need to rebuild trust with Iran following its ongoing attacks on Gulf states since the outbreak of the war on February 28. "The security and prosperity of the UAE is directly connected to the security and prosperity of Saudi Arabia," Dr Gargash stated.

He further addressed the dangers posed by Iran-backed militia groups operating without official government control. "Weapons outside the hands of government will make the country [Iran] unstable," Dr Gargash said, noting that armed militias launching attacks across Middle East countries are under the direct influence of Iran. The region's prosperity, he added, depends heavily on how the Iran war is resolved and how diplomatic relations are repaired afterward. "We are still in a crisis and leaving this crisis with minimum damage is a must," he told the summit.

Addressing the path forward, Dr Gargash stated that the nation's role extends beyond defending its sovereignty to actively preparing for open dialogue with Iran. "This crisis will end and we have to prepare for a new page," he said, explaining that while future relations and dialogue with Iran are essential, rebuilding lost trust will require many years. He described Iran's decision to attack neighboring Gulf states as a strategic mistake that impacted not just the UAE, but all Gulf countries.

Dr Gargash stressed that Iran must alter its perspective toward the GCC [Gulf Co-operation Council], calling the decision to launch attacks catastrophic. "The first step is to stop the attacks as you can't negotiate a new future while still attacking," he noted. Referencing positive developments, he highlighted remarks by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who recently met with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on the sidelines of the Brics summit in New Delhi. Describing the Iranian President as a reasonable voice amid ongoing crises, Dr Gargash expressed hope that such leadership would help the region navigate out of conflict and look toward a shared future.