UAE president says country ‘at war,’ vows it will emerge stronger

ISTANBUL

UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday said that the country is “at war” and vowed the country would emerge stronger.

In remarks broadcast by Emirates News Agency during a visit to people wounded in Iranian attacks on the UAE, the president said the injured were “a responsibility on our shoulders.”

He said he visited five wounded civilians -- two Emiratis, an Indian, a Sudanese and an Iranian -- adding: “The UAE is doing well.”

Mohammed bin Zayed also thanked the country’s armed forces for their role “during this war,” and praised security institutions for “honorable service to the country.”

He also commended expatriate residents in the UAE, saying: “We are in a time of war, and I promise them that we will fulfill our duty. This situation was imposed on us, and we are acting to protect ourselves, our families and our country.”

Addressing what he called the UAE’s enemies, he added: “The UAE is attractive, beautiful and a model, but do not be deceived. The UAE has thick skin and bitter flesh -- we cannot be devoured,” pledging that the country would come out of the war stronger than before.

Iran on Feb. 28 launched missiles and drones toward Israel and Gulf countries that are home to US military assets. Some of the attacks have caused casualties and damage to civilian sites, including ports and residential buildings.

Tehran says the attacks came in response to a US-Israeli military campaign against Iran that has killed hundreds of people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top military officials.

Earlier Saturday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian pledged that Iran would stop targeting neighboring countries “unless attacks are launched against us from their territory.”

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul