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UAE president says country is well and is no easy prey in first public comments since Iran strikes

By Thomson Reuters Mar 7, 2026 | 10:15 AM

DUBAI, March 7 (Reuters) – The president of the United Arab Emirates said his ​nation was in a ‌time of war but was well and told his enemies it was no easy prey, ‌in ​his first public ⁠comments since Iran ⁠launched missiles at its Gulf neighbour amid U.S.-Israeli strikes.

“The UAE has thick skin ​and bitter flesh – we are no easy prey,” ⁠Mohammed bin Zayed ⁠Al Nahyan, who is ​also ruler of Abu Dhabi, ​said in comments, made on ‌Friday when visiting those injured in strikes, aired on Abu Dhabi TV on ⁠Saturday.

“We will carry out our duty towards our country, our people, ⁠and ‌our residents who are ⁠also part of ​our ‌family,” he said.

The UAE, ​which consists ⁠of seven emirates including Dubai, would protect everyone in the country, he said.

(Reporting by Maha El DahanEditing by ​Tomasz Janowski)