DUBAI, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said Sunday that the country was in a state of defense in response to what it described as "Iranian aggression," after more than 1,400 ballistic missiles and drones were launched targeting infrastructure and civilian sites across the country.
The attacks had resulted in civilian deaths and injuries and constituted a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter, as well as an infringement on the UAE's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a direct threat to its security and stability, it said in a statement.
According to the statement, the UAE did not seek to be drawn into further conflict or escalation, but reaffirmed its right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty, national security and territorial integrity, and to ensure the safety of its citizens and residents in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.
The statement came amid heightened regional tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran starting on Feb. 28, to which Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. assets across the Middle East. ■
