UAE adviser says country emerged ‘victorious’, vows stronger regional role

Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, said Wednesday the country "emerged victorious in a war we sincerely sought to avoid."

In a post on US social media platform X, he said the outcome was the result of "an epic national defense … in the face of blatant aggression."

"Today, we move forward to manage a complex regional landscape with greater leverage, sharper insight, and a more solid capacity to influence and shape the future," Gargash added.

US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he agreed "to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks."

The announcement came less than two hours before a deadline Trump had set for Iran to reopen the strait and accept an agreement or face what he described as the destruction of "an entire civilization."

Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,400 people to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. It has also restricted the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.