UAE President Declares 'State of War' Amid Iranian Strikes and Failed Israeli Raid in Lebanon

On March 7, 2026, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed made his first public appearance since the recent regional escalation, declaring that the United Arab Emirates is now "in a state of war." While acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the President emphasized that the nation is "not easy prey." This heightened alert follows a series of missile and drone strikes launched by Iran, which were triggered by a joint military campaign by the United States and Israel. Known as Operation Epic Fury, this offensive against Iranian targets commenced on February 28, 2026.

The UAE's air defense systems have faced unprecedented pressure. On March 7 alone, 16 missiles were detected, with 15 successfully intercepted and one falling into the sea. Additionally, out of 121 drones launched, 119 were neutralized, while two reached the ground. Since the conflict's inception, Emirati forces have successfully intercepted 205 out of 221 missiles and 1,229 out of 1,305 drones. Despite these high success rates, falling debris has caused significant damage, including a fire near the Fairmont The Palm hotel and structural impacts near the Burj Al Arab. As of March 5, the attacks have resulted in three fatalities and 112 injuries within the Emirates.

The regional instability has spread beyond the UAE, with Iran launching retaliatory strikes against Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, alongside an attack on the tanker Prima in the Strait of Hormuz. Simultaneously, Israel conducted a high-stakes special operation in Lebanon. During the night of March 6 to 7, 2026, Israeli special forces landed in the Nabi Chit area of the Beqaa Valley, searching for the remains of Ron Arad, a pilot missing since 1986. Lebanese sources report the mission failed after commandos, disguised in Lebanese military uniforms, were surrounded by Hezbollah forces. The ensuing clashes left 41 people dead and 40 wounded, including three members of the Lebanese Armed Forces.

On March 7, the military offensive by the United States and Israel continued with strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport. Speaking at the "America's Shield" summit in Miami, Florida, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his demand for Iran's "unconditional surrender." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian firmly rejected this ultimatum. However, in a televised address that same day, Pezeshkian offered an apology to Gulf nations for the strikes, stating that Iran would refrain from attacking its neighbors provided their territories are not used for counter-offensives against Iran.

This escalating conflict is severely impacting the global economy, specifically causing oil prices to surge due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Within the United States, the high consumption of precision-guided munitions has exposed critical supply chain vulnerabilities. According to Foreign Policy, replacing damaged AN/FPS-132 radar systems could take up to eight years and cost $1.1 billion. While former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton defended the strikes as necessary to dismantle a "barbaric Iranian regime," the situation remains volatile. Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has signaled a readiness for a prolonged conflict and a total refusal to negotiate with Washington.