The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, 15 May categorically rejected Iran's allegations at the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi, denouncing what it called Iran's attempts to justify 'Iranian terrorist attacks that targeted the United Arab Emirates.' The sharp diplomatic confrontation unfolded on the sidelines of the multilateral gathering, underscoring the deepening rift between the two Gulf neighbours.

UAE's Position at the BRICS Meeting

Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State of the UAE, represented Abu Dhabi at the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting and delivered a firm rebuttal. Al Marar underscored the UAE's 'categorical rejection of any allegations or threats targeting its sovereignty and national security' and reaffirmed the country's right to respond militarily to any hostile act.

'The United Arab Emirates holds Iran fully responsible for these terrorist attacks and their repercussions,' Al Marar stated, adding that 'the United Arab Emirates does not seek protection from others and is fully capable of deterring this unprovoked aggression.'

What the UAE Accused Iran Of

The UAE Ministry described Iran's conduct as 'a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the principles of good neighbourliness.' It pointed to two specific international resolutions condemning Iran's actions: UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026) and a resolution adopted unanimously by the Human Rights Council on 25 March 2026 at UN headquarters in Geneva. According to Al Marar, Iran has continued its attacks 'in clear disregard of the international consensus' despite these condemnations.

Iran's Counter-Claims

Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs of Iran, pushed back during the second session of the BRICS meeting. He alleged that 'the United Arab Emirates played a significant role in supporting and facilitating the military aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran,' and argued that a party which 'contributed to the creation and escalation of tensions lacks any legitimacy to level political accusations and claims against Iran.'

Gharibabadi claimed Iran had documented 'every warplane that took off from the United Arab Emirates, including the exact time, date, and flight path.' He added that Iran had submitted 120 official diplomatic notices to the UN Security Council, with all evidence included, according to a post by the Iranian Embassy in India on social media platform X.

Broader Context and What Comes Next

The exchange at the BRICS meeting reflects a broader regional escalation that has drawn repeated international censure. The UAE's invocation of its right to a military response marks a notable hardening of its public posture. Notably, both countries chose the multilateral BRICS platform — typically reserved for economic and developmental dialogue — to air a bilateral security dispute, signalling how entrenched the standoff has become.

With 120 diplomatic notices already filed by Iran and two international resolutions on record against it, the dispute is firmly in the arena of formal international law. How the UN Security Council and regional bodies respond to the UAE's assertion of military deterrence rights will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.