Dialogue is only answer to escalating crisis: UAE, Oman

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq of Oman on Wednesday exchanged Eid Al Fitr greetings during a phone call, conveying their best wishes for continued well-being and prosperity for their two countries and peoples and for peace and prosperity worldwide.

The call also addressed developments in the region and their serious implications for regional security and stability. Both sides underscored the need for an immediate halt to the military escalation and the importance of prioritising dialogue and diplomacy to prevent further deterioration and preserve regional peace and stability.

The United Arab Emirates has affirmed that targeting of energy facilities linked to the South Pars field in the Islamic Republic of Iran — an extension of Qatar’s North Field — represents a serious escalation.

The UAE stressed that attacks on energy infrastructure constitute a direct threat to global energy security, as well as to the security and stability of the region and its peoples. Such actions also carry severe environmental consequences and pose direct risks to civilians, maritime security, and vital civil and industrial facilities.

The UAE further emphasised the importance of avoiding the targeting of critical infrastructure under any circumstances, reaffirming the importance of adherence to international law and the preservation of regional security and stability.

The UAE air defence systems on 18th March 2026 engaged 13 ballistic missiles and 27 UAVs launched from Iran.

Since the onset of the blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 327 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,699 UAVs.

These attacks have resulted in the martyrdom of two members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, as well as six fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi and Palestinian nationalities.

A total of 158 people were also injured, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate and severe. The injured included nationals of the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia, Sweden and Tunisia.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat has directed mosque Imams across the country to recite “Qunoot prayers” during the Fajr (dawn) and Maghrib (sunsit) prayers, in response to current circumstances.

The directive, issued in coordination with the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, the Department of Islamic Affairs in Sharjah, and other relevant entities, takes effect from Wednesday, 18th March, corresponding to 29 Ramadan 1447 AH.

The move follows a fatwa issued by the UAE Council for Fatwa, adhering to the Prophetic tradition of invoking Qunoot during times of hardship and crisis.

Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection, conducted an extensive tour of the Carrefour distribution centre.

He was received by Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Holding, along with a number of the Group’s executives.

The visit aimed to ensure the abundant availability of food products for consumers, in addition to strengthening market oversight and continuously monitoring the country’s strategic stock levels.

Iran’s huge Pars gas field was hit on Wednesday, a major escalation in the US-Israeli war, prompting Tehran to announce it would respond with attacks on oil and gas targets throughout the Gulf.

Pars is the Iranian sector of the world’s largest natural gas deposit, which Iran shares with Qatar across the Gulf. Iran’s Fars news agency reported that gas tanks and parts of a refinery had been hit, workers had been evacuated to a safe location and emergency crews were trying to put out a fire. State media later said the fire was under control.

The attack was widely reported in Israeli media to have been carried out by Israel with US consent, though neither country acknowledged immediate responsibility. The Israeli military did not respond to requests for comment.

Qatar blamed the attack on Israel without mentioning any US role.