The Middle East conflict has shaken the balance of power in the region. The Gulf Cooperation Council countries were deeply shocked when Iran launched retaliatory attacks against them following the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran that began on Feb. 28. Although divided along Sunni-Shia lines, the Gulf states had long tried to preserve cautious ties with Iran in the spirit of Islamic brotherhood. The attacks shattered that fragile balance.
Among the Gulf states, the United Arab Emirates suffered the heaviest damage.
More than 2,700 Iranian missiles and drones struck Emirati territory. Ironically, the UAE suffered bigger destruction than Israel itself, one of the direct warring parties. Around 240 casualties were reported. The Burj Al Arab Tower, the famous 7-star hotel, caught fire, while the Dubai International Financial Centre, refineries, petrochemical facilities and gas infrastructure were heavily damaged. Jebel Ali Port, the world’s largest man-made harbor, and Amazon Web Services facilities were also hit.
Most symbolic was the collapse of Dubai’s image as the “safe paradise in the desert.” As missiles and drones rained down, tourists fled. The once vibrant global city suddenly looked like a ghost town.
Why did Iran target the UAE so intensely?
The answer lies in the UAE’s bold transformation and strategic choices. The Emirates became the first Arab state to pursue sweeping modernization and openness on such a large scale. Through ambitious investments, technological innovation and aggressive economic diversification, it turned what once seemed impossible into reality. Dubai and Abu Dhabi emerged as global financial, logistical and tourism hubs.
The UAE also broke diplomatic taboos. In September 2020, it joined the Abraham Accords signed at the White House, establishing formal diplomatic ties with Israel. The agreement marked a historic shift in Middle Eastern diplomacy. Iran has long portrayed Israel as an illegitimate state that should disappear from the map. Iran now views the UAE as a destabilizing force in the Middle East, making the UAE a primary target for Iranian strategic focus.
What followed was even more striking.
Facing relentless Iranian attacks, UAE President H.H. Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent an SOS message to Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded swiftly. Israel deployed its advanced Iron Dome air-defense system, the laser-based Iron Beam system and the Spectro drone-detection network. Israeli technicians and military personnel were also dispatched to operate the systems under wartime conditions.
The results were immediate. Interception rates improved sharply, and major cities and strategic infrastructure were better protected. One senior Emirati figure reportedly remarked: “Now we know who our true friends are when crisis comes.” The statement carried deep geopolitical implications. It reflected a growing recognition among Gulf states that security cooperation with Israel may be strategically necessary.
Source: Korea Times News
