Iran war: Germany condemns attacks on UAE

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged Iran’s leadership to return to negotiations after Tehran launched missile and drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday. 

The UAE Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted a total of 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones in the first Iranian attacks on the Gulf state since a ceasefire began almost four weeks ago.

“Tehran must return to the negotiating table and stop holding the region and the world hostage: The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz must end,” Merz wrote on social media. “We strongly condemn these attacks. Our solidarity is with the people of the United Arab Emirates and our partners in the region.”

Merz also reiterated his stances that “Tehran must not acquire a nuclear weapon” and that “There must be no further threats or attacks against our partners.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also called for deescalation in the Middle East after the attacks. 

“The UK condemns the drone and missile strikes targeting the United Arab Emirates,” Starmer said. “The escalation must cease. Iran needs to engage meaningfully in negotiations to ensure the ceasefire in the Middle East endures, and a long-term diplomatic solution is achieved.” 

French President Emmanuel Macron said the Iranian strikes against civilian infrastructure in the UAE are “unjustified and unacceptable.”

Talks between the United States and Iran, mediated by Pakistan, have so far failed to produce results, leaving a ceasefire agreed on April 8 appearing increasingly fragile.
 

Good morning and welcome to DW’s coverage of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on Tuesday, 5 May, 2026.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has condemned Iran’s latest attacks on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and called on Tehran to “return to the negotiating table.”

Iran‘s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has also insisted that there is “no military solution” to the crisis.

Stay tuned for more throughout the day in this blog.