ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday condemned the latest missile and drone attacks targeting the UAE, stressing the importance of upholding the fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran so that diplomatic efforts can resolve the ongoing conflict between both sides.
The UAE’s Ministry of Defense said it intercepted 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran on Monday, resulting in minor injuries to three persons. The attacks set an oil refinery ablaze in the eastern emirate of Fujairah.
However, Iran has neither confirmed nor outright denied it carried out the attacks. Iranian state broadcaster IRIB quoted a military source as saying that Iran had “no pre‑planned program to attack the mentioned oil facilities.” Iran’s foreign minister warned the US and UAE against being dragged into a “quagmire by ill-wishers” in a social media post on Monday.
“Pakistan strongly condemns the missile and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates last night,” Sharif wrote on social media platform X.
Screenshot of Pakistan PM X account post.
Sharif expressed solidarity with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, saying that Islamabad stands with the people of the UAE and its government.
“It is absolutely essential that the ceasefire be upheld and respected, to allow necessary diplomatic space for dialogue leading to enduring peace and stability in the region,” the Pakistani prime minister wrote.
The attacks against the UAE, the first since a ceasefire was announced between the US and Iran on Apr. 8, began after Iranian media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) prevented US warships from entering the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.
However, the US denied these claims, with Trump saying that US forces destroyed seven Iranian small boats. The US has imposed a blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz since last month.
Pakistan hosted the first round of peace talks between the US and Iran on Apr. 11, which did not achieve a breakthrough.
Trump later extended the truce without setting a new deadline, following a request from Pakistan.
The deadlock between the US and Iran persists over Tehran’s nuclear program and its control over the Strait of Hormuz passageway.
