Iran on Saturday issued a warning that certain ports and cities in the United Arab Emirates could become targets, claiming these locations were being used by United States forces to launch attacks against Iranian territory.
Ebrahim Zolfaqari, a spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said the US military had used ports and other locations in the UAE to target Iran’s Abu Musa Island with missiles, according to Iran’s Fars News Agency.
He alleged that following the destruction of some US regional bases, American forces had relocated operations to ports, docks, and sites within certain UAE cities.
Zolfaqari stated that Iran considers it a “legitimate right” to target launch points of US missiles, including shipping ports, docks, and locations hosting US military personnel in the UAE.
He also urged residents in the affected areas to evacuate, emphasizing that the warning was intended to prevent civilian casualties.
There was no immediate response from Emirati authorities regarding the warning.
The announcement comes amid intensifying hostilities in the region, which escalated after Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Iran on February 28, resulting in over 1,200 deaths, including that of then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Since then, Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, further raising tensions across the Middle East.
The situation has prompted concerns among regional and international observers about potential escalation, particularly given the strategic importance of ports and shipping lanes in the UAE.
Analysts warn that any direct strike on UAE territory could further complicate diplomatic efforts and increase the risk of wider regional involvement in the conflict.
Iran’s warning reflects its ongoing stance that it will target what it perceives as immediate threats while emphasizing the protection of civilians where possible.
The international community continues to monitor developments closely, urging restraint and calling for dialogue to prevent further escalation in the region.
