ISTANBUL

UAE has denied reports suggesting that Emirati officials had restricted the entry of Iranian nationals.

"The UAE is home to a respected and valued Iranian community that forms an integral part of its social fabric and contributes to its diversity and openness,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

The ministry dismissed "inaccurate media reports" regarding the residency status of Iranian nationals, stressing that the country's policies follow established procedures designed to protect the safety and well-being of all residents without exception.

The ministry's statement came after multiple media reports, including a report by Wall Street Journal, that many Iranians who were abroad during the war had their UAE residency permits cancelled.

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated since Israel and the US launched a joint offensive against Iran on Feb. 28.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage, while disrupting global markets and aviation.