Good morning from The National on March 4, 2026.
Here is your digest of what is making headlines in the Emirates.
The UAE on Tuesday ruled out any military action against Iran, saying its “stance remains measured”, while condemning Tehran’s missile and drone attacks and urging the UN to intervene.
Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, called on the UN Security Council to assume responsibility in addressing the attacks, which she said pose a direct threat to regional security.
"Our message is clear. The Iranian attacks are not justified, and the military solution will only lead to more crises," Ms Al Hashimy said during a media briefing in Abu Dhabi, calling for "sincere and responsible dialogue”.
"The [UN] Security Council must take responsibility in condemning these attacks and take the necessary measures to prevent them from happening again,” she said. "This issue is not only related to the Iranian nuclear file, but also extends to the missile programme, which poses a direct threat to Iran's neighbours and requires a comprehensive and responsible international attention."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday that the UAE had been subjected to more than 1,000 attacks since the outbreak of the US-Israel war against Iran, more than all other attacked countries combined.
Vanessa Ghanem attended the key briefing. Read her full report here.
You can follow our live blog for all the latest as we get it.
UAE schools offer counselling to pupils over Iran attacks
Schools across the UAE are prioritising pupil well-being by offering counselling services and providing a platform for open discussions about the Iranian attacks on the country, which have prompted students to study from home.
Authorities directed all public and private schools and universities to switch to distance learning as a safety measure.
Teachers are being guided on how to answer learners' questions in age-appropriate ways, and providing truthful information rather than glossing over facts. Meanwhile, staff are also being encouraged to seek support.
Katy Gillett has more
‘Things are OK’: Business and tourism in old Dubai carry on as usual
Retailers in Old Dubai spoke to Aarti Nagraj about recent events and were keen to stress that, on the whole, life is the same as it has always been.
Several stall holders spoke about the situation and their determination to show resilience. Read the full story here.
Fact of the day
New York University Abu Dhabi announced on Tuesday it would implement remote learning “for the foreseeable future”, to allow students and staff the opportunity to continue their work from outside the UAE. Read more here
Today's must-reads
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