UAE demands clarity on US-Iran ceasefire, seeks accountability for damage and Strait of Hormuz reopening
Dubai, April 9. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on April 8 called for urgent clarification on the US-Iran ceasefire, insisting that Iran must demonstrate “full commitment to an immediate cessation of all hostilities” and ensure the “complete and unconditional reopening” of the Strait of Hormuz.
In a detailed statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Iran had launched 2,819 ballistic and cruise missiles, along with drones, at Emirati territory over the past 40 days, striking infrastructure, energy installations and civilian locations. Abu Dhabi said Tehran must be held “accountable and fully liable for damages and reparations” resulting from the attacks.
The conflict has inflicted heavy economic costs on the UAE. According to estimates cited from Goldman Sachs, more than $120 billion has been erased from the Dubai Financial Market and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange since February 28. The Dubai index has dropped 16 percent, while Abu Dhabi’s has fallen 9 percent. Oil production disruptions alone caused an estimated $3 billion in direct losses in the first month, while real estate transactions fell 37 percent year-on-year.
The aviation and tourism sectors were also hit hard. Over 18,400 flights were cancelled, the Dubai International Airport sustained damage in Iranian strikes, and national carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways suspended operations. Tourism, which contributed about $70 billion to the UAE economy in 2025, has been severely disrupted.
The ministry said any political settlement must address what it described as “Iran’s full range of threats”, including its nuclear programme, ballistic missiles, drones, military capabilities, and support to proxies and militant groups, while also ending threats to freedom of navigation and economic coercion in the Strait of Hormuz.
Abu Dhabi reiterated that it is “not a party to this war” and had pursued diplomatic efforts to prevent escalation, including through bilateral engagement and initiatives within the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The UAE also stressed the need for Iran’s compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, adopted on March 11, which condemned Iranian attacks on Gulf states and called for their immediate halt.
Despite the ceasefire coming into effect on April 8, UAE air defence systems were still intercepting suspected incoming Iranian missiles the same day, according to the statement.
The demand for reparations from Tehran could complicate negotiations scheduled to begin in Islamabad on April 10. Iran’s earlier 10-point settlement proposal had sought compensation from the US for war damage but made no mention of reparations to Gulf states.
On the same evening, Iran accused the US of breaching three clauses of its proposed negotiating framework less than 24 hours after the ceasefire took effect. In a statement issued by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, Tehran warned that the basis for talks had already been undermined.
The statement alleged that a ceasefire in Lebanon – included in the first clause of Iran’s proposal – was not being observed. It also referenced remarks by Shehbaz Sharif, who had called for “an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon and other regions, effective immediately”.
