The United Arab Emirates said Monday it reserves the right to respond to drone and missile attacks launched from Iran [1].

The statement marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two Gulf nations, signaling that Abu Dhabi may take military or diplomatic action following the breach of its airspace.

The UAE foreign ministry described the incident as a "treacherous aggression" that threatens the national security of the country [1]. A spokesperson for the ministry said, "We reserve our full and legitimate right to respond to Iran's renewed treacherous aggression" [1].

Reports on the scale of the attack vary. One official from the UAE Defence Ministry said four cruise missiles were launched from Iran, which triggered a fire at an energy installation in Fujairah [3]. However, other live updates indicated that more than 12 missiles were launched during the incident [4].

Air defenses in the UAE responded to the threats, and several flights were diverted as a precaution [2]. The foreign ministry said the strikes constitute a serious escalation [2].

Abu Dhabi has not yet specified the nature of its planned response or the timeline for such an action. The UAE government continues to monitor the situation as it assesses the damage to the Fujairah energy site [3].

“"We reserve our full and legitimate right to respond to Iran's renewed treacherous aggression."”

This development indicates a breakdown in regional stability, as the UAE moves from a posture of containment to an explicit warning of retaliation. The targeting of energy infrastructure in Fujairah is particularly critical, as it is a vital hub for global oil transit, meaning any further escalation could disrupt international energy markets and draw in global powers.