UAE and Bahrain: A Deep-Rooted Partnership in Facing Challenges

Our countries are facing rapidly evolving challenges today. However, the strength of our positions and the unity of our ranks are capable of transforming challenges into opportunities that strengthen cohesion and reinforce confidence in the future. In this context, the treacherous and terrorist Iranian attacks aimed at undermining our resolve, weakening the foundations of our nations and societies, and threatening the future of the countries of the region have demonstrated that the will of our countries and peoples remains stronger than all attempts to undermine the stability and prosperity of the region.

These terrorist attacks were met with firm resolve, resilience and steadfastness in confronting the blatant aggression. Every attempt to undermine our achievements only strengthens our cohesion and reinforces our confidence in the ability of our countries and peoples to overcome challenges and move forward towards a brighter future.

We have witnessed how the United Arab Emirates, alongside the brotherly Kingdom of Bahrain and other brotherly and friendly countries, worked to highlight the unified Gulf position rejecting and condemning these treacherous attacks at the international level, and to promote clearer and more resolute international positions towards these attacks, which threaten the security and stability of the countries of the region and the world as a whole.

Undoubtedly, the Kingdom of Bahrain’s presidency of the United Nations Security Council represented an important opportunity to highlight and strengthen the presence of regional issues on the Council’s agenda. This included the efforts that led to the Council’s adoption of the historic Resolution 2817, which was co-sponsored by 136 countries. The resolution condemns these attacks and affirms the rejection of any action or threat aimed at obstructing international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, considering such acts a violation of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security.

The United Arab Emirates expressed its appreciation to the brotherly Kingdom of Bahrain for its diplomatic efforts and its leadership in advancing the adoption of a draft resolution submitted by the Kingdom on behalf of the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with the aim of protecting freedom of navigation in the Strait. The UAE also expressed its deep disappointment at the Security Council’s failure to take decisive action to address the serious global repercussions resulting from Iran’s unlawful closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The UAE stressed that these attacks are inconsistent with the principles of good-neighbourliness and the Charter of the United Nations, and underscored the need for clarification regarding the terms of the agreement announced by H.E. Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, for a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Such an arrangement must ensure Iran’s full commitment to immediately cease all hostile acts in the region and to fully and unconditionally reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The UAE believes that any peace agreement must comprehensively and fully address the threats posed by Iran, including its nuclear capabilities, ballistic missiles, drones and military capabilities, as well as its proxies and terrorist arms in the region. It must also address threats to freedom of navigation, economic warfare and piracy in the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE expresses its hope for achieving lasting peace for all countries of the region.

The UAE further stresses the need for Iran to immediately cease its threats and blatant attacks, comply with its obligations under international law, respect freedom of navigation, and allow commercial vessels to sail freely and safely through the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait is a vital international waterway for global energy supplies and the world economy, through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass, alongside one-third of global fertiliser trade, 25 per cent of natural gas and 20 per cent of global oil supplies, while 70 per cent of the world’s petrochemical requirements originate from the Gulf countries. Any threat to the Strait therefore has a direct impact on global food security.

There is no doubt that Iran bears full responsibility for the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz during its blatant and terrorist attacks against the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and brotherly and friendly nations. During these attacks, Iran targeted civilians and infrastructure and threatened international maritime routes, constituting a flagrant violation of international law that cannot be justified or tolerated.

The more intense the challenges become, the more clearly the strength of the relations between countries and peoples emerges. Their deeply rooted nature is not weakened by crises; rather, crises make these relations stronger and more cohesive. In times of hardship, the values of solidarity become more evident, as do courage and sincerity of position, demonstrating that what is built on a firm foundation of brotherhood and unity of purpose and destiny is not shaken by challenges, but instead grows stronger and more firmly rooted.
This is clearly reflected in the fraternal relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the brotherly Kingdom of Bahrain, a relationship in which the sacrifices and blood of martyrs have come together to create the finest examples of cohesion, cooperation and solidarity. This represents a natural extension of a long legacy of joint action established by our fathers and forefathers, who worked over the decades to strengthen and consolidate the bonds of brotherly cooperation across political, economic and security fields, ultimately building a strategic partnership founded on solid foundations of joint action across various domains.
This close partnership enjoys the support and patronage of the two wise leaderships, which firmly believe in the importance of deepening fraternal ties and strengthening avenues of cooperation. This has given the relationship its distinctive character, making it a model of strong bilateral relations based on the values of brotherhood, mutual respect and shared interests, as well as the deep bonds between the two brotherly peoples and their shared belief in a common destiny.
In this context, the United Arab Emirates expressed its full solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Bahrain in confronting the treacherous Iranian attacks, reaffirming its support for everything that safeguards Bahrain’s security, the safety of its citizens and residents, and its stability, as well as the security of the GCC countries and brotherly and friendly nations.
UAE positions have reflected deep appreciation for the strength, determination and steadfastness demonstrated by the Kingdom of Bahrain in defending itself against the treacherous Iranian terrorist attacks. This period has demonstrated once again that countries are measured by their steadfastness in times of adversity.

Bahrain has demonstrated, as we have always known it to do, its ability to stand firm in the face of challenges, supported by wise leadership and a conscious people standing united in defence of their sovereignty, security and achievements. This was also reflected in the visit of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to the brotherly Kingdom of Bahrain. The visit carried profound significance, reaffirming the strength of the fraternal relations between the two countries, the depth of coordination and consultation between their leaderships, the unity of their positions, and the strength of their partnership in confronting challenges and enhancing the security and stability of the region.

The clear harmony and effective coordination between the two brotherly countries reflect their shared understanding of the nature of regional challenges and the importance of addressing them through a responsible collective approach. This is evident in the scale of joint efforts and the complementarity of roles between political and military institutions, through the coordination and alignment of positions across various international forums, as well as through enhanced readiness and joint defence cooperation aimed at safeguarding security and stability in the two brotherly countries and throughout the region.

The wise leaderships of both countries recognised at an early stage the importance of joint preparedness to confront various challenges by strengthening combat readiness and enhancing levels of security and military cooperation, thereby supporting efforts to maintain security and stability in both countries. This is reflected in the significant successes achieved by the armed forces of the two countries in confronting the grave Iranian terrorist attacks with a high degree of efficiency and effectiveness.

Thus, the UAE and Bahrain move forward together—not merely as two countries bound by deep-rooted fraternal relations, but as partners in a shared destiny. They draw strength from a firmly established legacy and look towards a future built on confidence, safeguarded by the solidarity of brothers, and shaped by a spirit of sincere cooperation, deep-rooted integration and a shared vision for a more prosperous future.
Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Kingdom of Bahrain