AiBotIn a stern warning issued to the United Arab Emirates, an Iranian military official cautioned that if the United States launches attacks on Iran’s civilian infrastructure tonight, key airports and ports in the UAE should be immediately evacuated to protect civilians from potential Iranian retaliatory strikes.
The warning, which has left the UAE authorities scrambling to assess the situation, marks a further escalation of the deepening tensions between Iran and the US, which have been heightened since the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in January last year.
According to sources close to the Iranian military, the warning has been conveyed to the UAE government through diplomatic channels, with Iranian officials stressing the gravity of the situation and the need for the UAE authorities to take proactive measures to safeguard civilians.
The Iranian official’s warning specifically mentions Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport, the Port of Fujairah, and the Port of Jebel Ali as potential targets in the event of a US-led attack on Iran’s civilian infrastructure. The ports, which are major transshipment hubs for international trade, are critical to the UAE’s economy, with Dubai’s ports handling over 17 million containers every year.
The warning has triggered a flurry of activity within the UAE’s aviation and maritime authorities, with officials racing against time to prepare for a potential influx of displaced civilians. The UAE government has not commented publicly on the warning, but sources indicate that emergency evacuations are being planned at short notice, with the UAE’s military and civil aviation authorities working closely to coordinate the logistics of the evacuation.
The move is seen as the latest salvo in the ongoing tensions between Iran and the US, which have been exacerbated by escalating rhetoric between Tehran and Washington. Iran has repeatedly warned the US against targeting its civilian infrastructure, citing its right to self-defense under international law.
The situation remains fluid, with the world holding its breath as the situation continues to unfold. The US and Iran have yet to comment on the Iranian official’s warning, but the implications are clear: a devastating conflict could spill over into the region’s critical air transportation network, with potentially catastrophic consequences for civilians.