UAE adviser says Iran failing to commit to de-escalation after Gulf attacks

UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said Wednesday that Iran remains unable to commit to de-escalation, after attacks attributed to Tehran struck commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted Bahrain and Kuwait.

His comments came as regional hostilities intensified following U.S. strikes on Iranian military targets.

What did Gargash say about Iran and de-escalation?

Gargash said attacks on Qatari and Saudi tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, along with what he called repeated aggression against Bahrain and Kuwait, showed Iran was incapable of meeting de-escalation requirements.

He added that Gulf Arab states could not keep serving as targets while Iran wavered between the logic of escalation and the path of stability and peace.

Why did Iran say it struck Bahrain?

Iran said it carried out strikes on Bahrain in retaliation for U.S. attacks on Iranian targets a day earlier. According to a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency, Iran's military said army drones hit U.S. forces at Sheikh Isa Air Base. Tehran described the strike as retaliation for what it called U.S. aggression and a violation of the agreement meant to end the war.

Fresh explosions were heard in Bahrain on Wednesday after air raid sirens sounded for the third time, an AFP correspondent reported. The blasts followed Iran's announcement that it had struck the country.

How did Kuwait respond to Iranian attacks?

Kuwait's General Staff said air defense systems engaged hostile drones and missiles early Wednesday. The military said explosions heard across the country were caused by interceptions in the air and urged residents to follow official safety instructions.

Kuwait condemned the attacks as a flagrant violation of its sovereignty. The Foreign Ministry said the strikes posed a direct threat to national security and breached international law, according to the state-run Kuwait News Agency. It said continued attacks undermined regional de-escalation efforts and reaffirmed Kuwait's right to defend its sovereignty and stability.

What led to the latest escalation in the Gulf?

The latest round of attacks followed extensive U.S. strikes on Iran, which Washington said were launched in response to earlier attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they targeted dozens of U.S. military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait. U.S. Central Command said its forces hit more than 80 targets, including Iranian air defense systems, coastal radar sites and 60 Revolutionary Guards small boats.

The confrontation has increased pressure on efforts to preserve an interim agreement between Washington and Tehran. It has also raised fresh concerns over Gulf security and maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.