UAE Urges Iran to Fully Honor Ceasefire as Violations Continue Across Gulf: 2,819 Projectiles Intercepted Over 40 Days, UN Resolution Compliance Demanded

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strongly worded statement calling on Iran to fully honour the recently announced ceasefire and comply with the terms of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, as violations of the truce continue to rock the broader Gulf region. The statement, released on April 10, 2026, comes after more than 40 days of sustained Iranian aerial bombardment that saw UAE defence forces intercept a staggering 2,819 projectiles — a figure that underscores the extraordinary scale of the conflict that has engulfed the Persian Gulf since early March.

The Ministry said it was "closely following" the ceasefire announcement and reaffirmed the UAE's longstanding position that it is not a party to the wider conflict between Iran and the United States and its allies. Nevertheless, the UAE has borne a disproportionate share of the kinetic consequences, with Iranian ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles raining down on Emirati territory for nearly six consecutive weeks before a fragile quiet took hold.

UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: A Detailed Statement of Demands

The MOFA statement was notable for both its diplomatic restraint and its unmistakable firmness. While acknowledging the ceasefire as a positive development, the Ministry laid out three non-negotiable demands directed squarely at Tehran: the immediate and verifiable cessation of all hostilities against the UAE and other Gulf states; the complete and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international maritime navigation; and full accountability and reparations for the extensive damage inflicted upon UAE infrastructure, economy, and civilian populations over the preceding 40 days.

Beyond the immediate demands, the MOFA statement outlined a broader set of concerns including Iran's nuclear capabilities, its expanding ballistic missile programmes, its growing fleet of sophisticated drones, the role of proxy forces across the region, threats to maritime navigation, and what the Ministry characterised as "economic warfare" through the weaponisation of the Strait of Hormuz.

"The UAE has undertaken intensive diplomatic efforts to prevent the escalation of this conflict from its earliest stages. We reaffirm that the UAE is not a party to this conflict and has consistently advocated for dialogue and de-escalation. However, we will not accept the normalisation of aggression against our sovereignty."

UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs Statement, April 10, 2026

Forty Days of Bombardment: The Cumulative Toll

The statistics released by UAE defence authorities paint a harrowing picture. Over 40 days, Iranian forces deployed more than 2,819 projectiles targeting Emirati territory. The breakdown reveals a multi-layered assault strategy: 537 ballistic missiles formed the most dangerous component. An additional 26 cruise missiles supplemented the ballistic threat. The overwhelming majority consisted of 2,256 unmanned aerial vehicles.

The UAE's integrated air defence network achieved what military analysts have described as a remarkable interception rate. The sheer volume of successful intercepts represents one of the most intensive sustained air defence operations in modern military history. Notably, April 9 marked the second consecutive day on which no new threats were detected targeting the UAE, offering the first tangible sign that the ceasefire might be taking hold with respect to direct attacks on Emirati territory.

Ceasefire in Name Only? Violations Across the Region

While the UAE experienced a reprieve from direct attack, the ceasefire has been marred by significant violations across multiple theatres.

Kuwait Under Attack

Perhaps the most alarming development was the drone attack on Kuwait between April 9 and April 10. Unmanned aerial vehicles struck a Kuwait National Guard site, causing structural damage to military facilities. Kuwaiti authorities confirmed no casualties, but the incident sent shockwaves through the GCC. Kuwait, like the UAE, has sought to maintain a neutral posture, making the targeting of its military installations a significant escalation.

Saudi Arabia: Energy Infrastructure Under Pressure

Saudi Arabia has also felt the direct consequences. Multiple refining facilities suspended operations following Iranian attacks on critical energy infrastructure. The disruption to Saudi refining capacity has had immediate ripple effects on global energy markets, contributing to sustained volatility in crude oil and refined product prices.

UN Security Council Resolution 2817: The Legal Framework

Central to the UAE's demands is compliance with Resolution 2817, adopted on March 11, 2026. The resolution formally condemned Iran's attacks on Gulf nations and demanded the immediate cessation of all hostilities. It represented a rare moment of consensus at the Security Council.

Resolution 2817 called upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint, demanded unimpeded access to the Strait of Hormuz, and established a framework for monitoring compliance. The UAE's MOFA statement specifically invoked the resolution, framing Iran's continued aggression as direct violations of binding international law.

"Resolution 2817 is not a suggestion. It is a binding obligation under international law, adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Iran's compliance is not optional, and the international community must be prepared to enforce its provisions."

Senior UAE Diplomatic Source

Iran's Conditional Shipping Routes: A New Complication

Complicating the picture further, Iran has announced conditional shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Commercial vessels must obtain permission from the Iranian navy and adhere to designated corridors. This effectively imposes Iranian military control over one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints.

The UAE has rejected any conditionality on passage, describing Iran's restrictions as economic warfare and a violation of both Resolution 2817 and freedom of navigation under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. International shipping companies have expressed alarm, with several major tanker operators reportedly diverting vessels to avoid the strait entirely.

The UAE's Diplomatic Efforts

The MOFA statement emphasised that the UAE had undertaken "intensive diplomatic efforts" to prevent escalation. Throughout the crisis, Abu Dhabi has pursued a dual track of strengthening defences while working diplomatic channels. The UAE's insistence that it is not a party to the conflict reflects a carefully calibrated diplomatic posture that has earned it significant international goodwill.

Several Western governments have publicly praised Abu Dhabi's restraint and its commitment to diplomatic solutions, even as its air defences worked around the clock to protect its population from the unprecedented aerial assault.

What This Means for UAE Residents

For the millions of residents living in the UAE, the two consecutive quiet days represent a welcome respite. Schools, businesses, and government services that had operated under emergency protocols are cautiously returning to normal operations, though authorities have urged continued vigilance.

The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority has maintained modified flight operations, and a full resumption of normal air traffic depends on sustained confirmation that the ceasefire holds. Tourism has been severely impacted, with hotel occupancy rates plummeting during the crisis. Economic recovery depends not only on cessation of threats but also on restoration of confidence among international travellers and investors.

Analysis: A Fragile Peace at a Dangerous Crossroads

The ceasefire remains extraordinarily fragile. The continuing attacks on Kuwait, devastating strikes in Lebanon, Iran's conditional shipping regime, and fundamental disagreement over Lebanon's inclusion all point to a situation where conditions for renewed escalation remain firmly in place.

The UAE's statement serves as both a diplomatic message and a legal marker. By publicly articulating its requirements, Abu Dhabi is establishing benchmarks against which Iran's compliance will be measured. Military analysts caution that the quiet days over UAE territory may not be indicative of Iran's broader intentions. The attacks on Kuwait suggest operational capability remains intact.

The coming days will be critical. The international community will be watching closely to determine whether the ceasefire represents a genuine turning point or merely a tactical pause. For the UAE and its Gulf neighbours, the answer will determine the fundamental shape of regional geopolitics for years to come.