UAE official says 'media war' ran in parallel with recent escalation

A senior United Arab Emirates official has said the recent escalation in regional tensions extended beyond the battlefield, unfolding simultaneously as a coordinated “media war,” where control of narratives played a central role alongside military developments, Khaleej Times reported.

Speaking at a Dubai Press Club panel, Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, chairman of the Defense, Interior and Foreign Affairs Committee at the Federal National Council, said the information space had become a key front during the crisis. “We lived through a media war,” he said, noting that competing narratives were actively shaped and contested across platforms in parallel with events on the ground.

He stressed that countering disinformation and hostile messaging was as critical as security and defense operations, adding that media played a vital role in communicating official positions and maintaining public awareness during periods of instability. Al Nuaimi also argued that the media should be treated as an integral component of national response frameworks, alongside economic and security measures.

Reflecting on the UAE’s approach, he said coordinated institutional messaging enabled the country to push back against opposing narratives and clearly present its position. He further suggested that a more unified regional media strategy could have strengthened efforts to counter misinformation more effectively during the escalation.

Warning against the spread of false narratives, Al Nuaimi urged media professionals to exercise caution and rely strictly on verified information. He said misinformation had been deliberately used to distort facts and influence public perception, stressing the importance of responsible reporting in conflict situations.

He also levelled criticism at Iran’s leadership, accusing it of manipulating narratives. He said the leadership “lies to its people, lies to the region, and lies to the world,” adding that such conduct undermines regional trust and stability. He warned that any future agreements must go beyond political commitments and include enforceable safeguards to prevent renewed escalation.

At the same time, Al Nuaimi drew a distinction between governments and populations, cautioning against conflating political leadership with ordinary citizens. He emphasized that Iranian nationals residing in the UAE remain protected and are fully integrated into the country’s social fabric.