Live updates: Follow the latest news on the Iran war
Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed, said on Wednesday that the UAE had “triumphed in a war we sincerely sought to avoid”, after US President Donald Trump agreed to an 11th-hour conditional ceasefire with Iran.
The senior Emirati official praised the country's resolute defence of its sovereignty in the face of what he described as “treacherous aggression” from Tehran.
Dr Gargash said the Emirates would now take steps to manage a “complex regional landscape” with greater capacity to “influence and shape the future”.
He made his remarks on social media hours after the US suspended attacks on Iran's infrastructure in exchange for Tehran reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
“The UAE triumphed in a war we sincerely sought to avoid and we prevailed through an epic national defence that safeguarded sovereignty and dignity and protected our achievements in the face of treacherous aggression,” Dr Gargash wrote.
“Today, we move forward to manage a complex regional landscape with greater leverage, sharper insight and a more solid capacity to influence and shape the future.
“Our strength, resilience, and steadfastness have reinforced the UAE's renaissance model.”
The two-week ceasefire was secured only 88 minutes before the expiry of a deadline Mr Trump had set to restore the critical trade route, but the UAE and other Gulf states continued to come under attack from Iran on Wednesday.
Dr Gargash later said the UAE was seeking further clarification on the US-Iran ceasefire agreement.
"A lot of the details are not very clear. There are different statements coming out of Iran, from Washington and from the Pakistani mediator, so we need to reconcile the details of these statements and understand exactly what is the way forward," he said in a media interview.
The UAE has come under heavy daily bombardment from Iran since February 28, when Tehran began its offensive in response to attacks by the US and Israel.
The UAE Armed Forces dealt with 17 ballistic missiles and 35 drones launched by Iran following the ceasefire agreement, the Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday.
The country’s air defence systems have intercepted 537 ballistic missiles, 26 cruise missiles and 2,256 drones since Iran began its daily attacks.
Also on Wednesday, authorities in Abu Dhabi said three people were injured at Habshan gas complex in fires caused by falling shrapnel after a successful interception.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office reported that two Emiratis and one Indian citizen sustained minor injuries in the incident in the early hours of Wednesday.
It added that “operations have been suspended” at the complex and “further updates will be provided in due course”.
The UAE has described Iran's actions as “terrorist attacks” aimed at key energy and civilian infrastructure.
Iran's strikes have led to the martyrdom of two members of the UAE Armed Forces and a Moroccan civilian contractor, and the deaths of 10 people of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian and Indian citizenship.
There have been 224 injuries recorded in the UAE since the start of the war.
The conflict has also affected global air travel and tourism, raised oil prices and disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed by Iran since the war broke out.
Starmer to visit Gulf
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to travel to the Gulf on Wednesday to “discuss diplomatic efforts to uphold the ceasefire”, his office said in a statement.
Mr Starmer will meet leaders of countries that have been on the front line of the conflict. He will also visit British troops stationed in the region.
He is also set to hold talks aimed at ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains open permanently, with the UK keen to lead international efforts to protect shipping.
'World has stepped back from disaster'
Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi called for serious negotiations to secure a lasting peace.
“For now, the world has stepped back from disaster. But there’s no room for complacency. Serious negotiations now required for lasting peace,” Mr Al Busaidi wrote on social media.
“Oman will support this work for the vital and urgent purpose of strong and enduring regional security.”
Qatar and Saudi Arabia welcome ceasefire
Qatar said the ceasefire was an “initial step” towards de-escalation.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry stressed the need to build on the truce to prevent the escalation of tension in the region. It also praised Pakistan's efforts to mediate between the warring parties.
Doha urged Tehran to immediately cease all hostile acts and practices that undermine regional stability, to respect the sovereignty of states, and to guarantee that such breaches would not be repeated.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also welcomed the ceasefire and praised Pakistan for its role in securing the agreement.
Lebanon wants to play role in path to peace
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said he hoped the ceasefire “would be a first step towards a final and comprehensive agreement on the various issues that constitute triggers for our region”.
He reaffirmed the desire of the Lebanese state to be included in efforts to reach a lasting regional peace.
Israel has insisted that Lebanon is not included in the ceasefire, and continued to bomb the country on Wednesday.
Beirut has recently said that it is open to direct negotiations with Israel in an effort to establish and maintain stability.
What does ceasefire entail?
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had agreed to end “defensive operations” and to allow ships to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz in co-ordination with Iran's armed forces.
“If attacks against Iran are halted, our powerful armed forces will cease their defensive operations,” he wrote on social media. “For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via co-ordination with Iran's armed forces and with due consideration of technical limitations.”
Mr Trump said a 10-point plan presented by Tehran was a “workable basis on which to negotiate”. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said talks between Washington and Tehran would begin on Friday in Islamabad.
The US President's post on Truth Social came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Lebanon would not be included in the ceasefire, contradicting Iran's account of its terms.
“The United States will be helping with the traffic build-up in the Strait of Hormuz. There will be lots of positive action,” Mr Trump wrote. He added that there was “big money” to be made.
“Iran can start the reconstruction process,” he said. “This could be the golden age of the Middle East.”
