Dr Anwar Gargash contrasts genuine support with ‘statements without action,’ challenging Arab and Islamic institutions to step up as the UAE faces nearly 2,200 projectiles from Iran.
Abu Dhabi: The UAE has demonstrated resilience in the face of ongoing Iranian aggression, but top Emirati diplomat Dr Anwar Gargash has issued a pointed critique of international responses—drawing a sharp line between nations offering genuine support and those limiting themselves to “statements without action.”
In a series of posts on social media platform X, Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the UAE President, delivered a candid assessment of the regional landscape as the Gulf state continues to endure repeated attacks from Iran.
‘Statements Without Action’
Since the onset of what he described as “brutal Iranian aggression,” Dr Gargash said friendly nations had reached out, but their responses varied significantly.
“Some offered sincere support that is appreciated, while others limited themselves to statements without action,” he wrote.
He emphasized that the UAE has proven its capacity to confront challenges and remain steadfast, adding that what matters most in times of crisis is not resources alone, but clarity of purpose and allegiance.
“The UAE has shown its capacity to respond and endure. It does not need numbers and equipment as much as it needs clarity of positions and knowing who can be depended on in times of hardship,” Dr Gargash noted.
As of March 24, the UAE has dealt with nearly 2,200 projectiles launched from Iran—a stark reminder of the scale of the threat facing the nation.
A Challenge to Regional Institutions
In an earlier post, Dr Gargash raised pointed questions about the response of regional institutions and major powers as Gulf countries were subjected to what he called “brutal Iranian aggression.”
He said Gulf nations have every right to question the role of joint Arab and Islamic institutions, including the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
“In this absence and inability, it is no longer appropriate to later speak of a decline in Arab and Islamic roles or criticise the American and Western presence,” he stated.
He added that Gulf countries have long stood as partners to others during times of prosperity, before posing a direct and striking question: “So, where are you today in times of hardship?”
A Call for Clarity
Dr Gargash’s remarks reflect a broader shift in Gulf foreign policy—one that emphasizes self-reliance while demanding tangible, actionable support from both traditional allies and multilateral institutions.
His comments signal that for the UAE, the era of accepting symbolic gestures in the face of direct threats is over. What the nation seeks, he made clear, is not just solidarity in words, but reliability in action.
