More than 90% of Iranian attacks on the UAE targeted civilian infrastructure

Minister of State, Reem Al Hashemi, said on Sunday that the UAE was subjected to Iranian bombardment with more than 2,800 missiles and drones during the first forty days of the war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran, adding that more than 90% of the targets were civilian infrastructure.

Al-Hashemi said, during her appearance on Sunday morning on the program “This Week” (This week(on ABC)ABC), Iran targeted the UAE’s “model of prosperity and tolerance.”

“We have used our oil wealth to build economic power,” she told broadcaster Jonathan Karl. “While they have used their wealth for nefarious nuclear programmes, missiles, drones, proxies and so on.” She added: “So, while we tried to become, and have become, a responsible international and global player, they are a pariah state. They wanted to destroy this model.”

When asked whether she agreed with President Donald Trump’s assessment that there had been a regime change in Iran, Al-Hashemi expressed doubts that the Iranian leadership had changed in any significant way.

She said: “I know that the personalities have changed. You have different personalities that exist now, but how has that changed the nature of the Revolutionary Guards? This is what we have to see – although it does not look very promising at the moment.”

When asked if she had concerns about Trump’s threats, Al-Hashemi said that the UAE believes that a “maximum pressure” policy is necessary to move forward, while at the same time warning against attacks on civilians.

She added: “At the end of the day, we do not want to harm the Iranian people. It is very important to mention that. But at the same time, it is the Revolutionary Guard that took a military position and direction not only against the United States and Israel, but also against neighboring countries.”