UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan declared that the country is “at war” amid Iranian missile and drone attacks on the Gulf, pledging that the UAE will emerge stronger.

Axar.az reports, citing Emirates News Agency, during a visit to five wounded civilians — two Emiratis, an Indian, a Sudanese, and an Iranian — he described the injured as “a responsibility on our shoulders” and affirmed, “The UAE is doing well.”

He praised the UAE’s armed forces and security institutions for their dedication “during this war” and commended expatriate residents, saying, “We are in a time of war, and I promise them that we will fulfill our duty. This situation was imposed on us, and we are acting to protect ourselves, our families and our country.”

Addressing adversaries, he warned: “The UAE is attractive, beautiful and a model, but do not be deceived. The UAE has thick skin and bitter flesh — we cannot be devoured,” emphasizing that the country would come out of the conflict stronger than before.