UAE has ‘thick skin, bitter flesh’ and will ‘emerge stronger’: Emirati president

CAIRO – 7 March 2026: Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the United Arab Emirates is “not an easy prey” and will “emerge stronger” following recent Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting Gulf countries.

Iran has been launching missiles and drones at locations across Gulf states, targeting the US military presence as well as other civilian facilities in response to coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian cities.

The attacks have killed several civilians across the Gulf, including four in the UAE, and left dozens injured. Gulf countries have strongly condemned the strikes, with several saying they reserve the right to respond.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed visited five of the injured at a hospital, including two Emiratis, an Indian, a Sudanese and an Iranian national, wishing them a full recovery.

During the visit, he reassured both citizens and residents of the UAE of the government’s commitment to protecting the country and its people, while sending a message to “the enemy of the Emirates.”

“The UAE has thick skin and bitter flesh; we are not an easy prey,” he said.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian apologized on Saturday to Gulf states for the recent attacks and pledged to halt them. However, Gulf countries continued to report intercepting waves of Iranian missiles and drones later in the day.