Reactions in Jordan and the UAE following launches from Iran: "The most dangerous thing is the collapse of the rules of restraint"

Following the renewal of the exchange of blows between Iran and the United States overnight from Sunday to Monday, which ended a period of relative calm, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates are following developments with concern, seeking to remain outside the conflict. Against the backdrop of Iranian fire, the region is warning against the erosion of the rules of restraint, signaling that they have no interest in becoming an arena for the confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

Mustafa al-Zawati, a commentator based in Jordan, told N12 that the nature of the confrontation between the US and Iran has not fundamentally changed since the war began: Iran continues to target hubs it views as threats. "We are still talking about a situation of containment and a limited mutual confrontation," he emphasized. Al-Zawati explained that Jordan, as part of the moderate Arab axis, must maneuver carefully to protect its interests and security, lacking the strategic depth of a superpower.

In the UAE, officials have also called for avoiding further escalation and returning to a political path. Anwar Gargash, advisor to the President of the UAE, wrote on X:

"A situation of 'no war and no peace' cannot be a sustainable solution, just as the policy of attacking the Arab Gulf states and Jordan has proven its failure. What is required today are realistic and sustainable political solutions that address the crisis, starting with overcoming the escalation and restoring navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."

UAE authorities denied Iranian claims that the Al Minhad Air Base was attacked, clarifying that their Air Force intercepted a UAV approaching from Iran. Emirati commentator Amjad Taha, who is close to the Abu Dhabi government, attacked the Iranian narrative: "The Islamic regime in Iran is lying. The claim that Al Minhad Air Base was targeted is fake news. For every move, the Revolutionary Guards will pay a heavy price."

Daham al-Fawaz, a Jordanian commentator on Middle East affairs, warned that the expansion of the response arena is dragging countries into the conflict that did not seek to be parties to it. "After six months of war, the most dangerous thing happening now is not the exchange of blows, but the collapse of the last rules of restraint," he wrote. Al-Fawaz also directly criticized Iran's choice of targets:

"Iran talks about a confrontation with the US, yet it ignores the real opponent and launches missiles toward Arab countries under the pretext that American bases are located there. If the confrontation is really against the US, why skip those who are close and attack others? Whoever wants to demonstrate power should start with the opponent standing in front of him, rather than looking for other targets."