Costa calls attacks unjustified and unacceptable
Mr Costa said he conveyed his “full solidarity” to UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed and the Emirati people, describing the attacks as “unjustified” and “unacceptable.”
“These violations of sovereignty and international law must stop”, he said, calling on Iran to engage in negotiations to ensure the ceasefire in the Middle East holds.
He added that the European Union would continue working towards “de‑escalation, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a lasting diplomatic solution for regional security.”
Full solidarity with @MohamedBinZayed and the people of the United Arab Emirates following Iran’s unjustified missile and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure. These violations of sovereignty and international law are unacceptable and need to stop.
— António Costa (@eucopresident) May 5, 2026
Iran must engage in…
Von der Leyen highlights impact on Europe
Ms von der Leyen said the UAE had once again become “the target of violent attacks,” stressing that “these attacks are unacceptable and constitute a clear violation of sovereignty and international law.”
She underlined that “security in the region has direct consequences for Europe,” adding that the EU would continue efforts to put an end to what she described as the “brutal actions of the Iranian regime, both against its neighbours and against its own people.”
Today, our partner, the UAE, was once again the target of a vicious missiles and drone attacks originating from Iran.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 4, 2026
I extend my full solidarity to @MohamedBinZayed, the people of the UAE, and our partners across the Middle East.
These attacks are unacceptable and constitute a…
Starmer urges diplomacy
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned the Iranian attacks on the United Arab Emirates, the first since a ceasefire came into force at the beginning of last month.
“The United Kingdom condemns the drone and missile strikes that targeted the United Arab Emirates,” Mr Starmer said in a statement.
“This escalation must stop. Iran must genuinely engage in negotiations to guarantee that the ceasefire in the Middle East endures and that a lasting diplomatic solution is achieved,” he added.
The UAE said it came under Iranian attack on Monday, the first day of a US military operation aimed at restoring shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
