Israel-Iran conflict: UAE evacuates citizens and nationals from Iran amid rising tensions

As the conflict between Iran and Israel enters its eighth consecutive day, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has successfully evacuated a number of its nationals and residents from the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The move comes amid escalating military strikes between the two countries that have heightened concerns over regional stability and civilian safety.The evacuation operation was carried out in coordination with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, working closely with the UAE embassies in Iran and Turkmenistan. After leaving Iran, the evacuees spent a night in Turkmenistan, where they were provided with hotel accommodation.The following day, the group was airlifted to Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi, where special transport was arranged to take them safely back to their homes across the UAE.

The UAE emphasized that this step was taken as part of its responsibility to ensure the safety and security of its citizens and residents abroad. It reiterated its commitment to pursuing diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions and prevent further escalation.

In an official statement, the UAE stressed the importance of "continuous intensive diplomatic communications and consultations with the concerned parties to end the conflict." It further emphasized that diplomacy and dialogue remain "the sole path forward" and called for a "comprehensive approach that ensures stability, justice, and prosperity for the peoples of the region."The UAE has maintained a neutral stance in the conflict and has called on all parties to exercise restraint.On Tuesday, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. During the call, Sheikh Mohamed expressed the UAE’s "solidarity with Iran and its people" in the wake of Israeli military strikes.The discussion, as reported by UAE state media WAM, focused on the "serious implications of the escalating conflict on regional peace and security." Both leaders exchanged views on how to contain the crisis and avoid a broader regional confrontation.The conflict was triggered on June 13, when Israel launched a massive aerial assault on Iran, reportedly killing senior figures in the Iranian military. The attack marked a major escalation in long-standing tensions between the two nations.According to Israeli military sources, within the first week of the campaign, Israel had struck dozens of strategic targets. These included missile production facilities, military infrastructure in western and central Iran, and even a research institution in Tehran alleged to be involved in nuclear weapons development.In response, Iran launched a new wave of missile strikes early Friday, targeting the southern Israeli city of Beersheba. The strikes hit areas near residential apartments, office buildings, and industrial zones, raising fears of civilian casualties and further escalation.The UAE continues to closely monitor developments and has called for an urgent de-escalation of hostilities to avoid wider regional instability.