The United Arab Emirates has denied reports that it carried out a strike on a desalination facility in Iran, rejecting claims that it was responsible for an attack that disrupted water supplies on Qeshm Island. Earlier reports had suggested the strike would have marked the country’s first retaliatory action following missile and drone attacks from Iran.

Ali Al-Nuaimi, Chairman of the National Defense Committee, said the United Arab Emirates would never target the Iranian people, describing them as victims of their own government’s policies. He emphasized that, as neighbors, the United Arab Emirates cares about the well-being of the Iranian population and does not equate them with their leadership.

A source close to officials in Abu Dhabi criticized what was described as a senior Israeli official speaking on behalf of the United Arab Emirates, calling the claims inappropriate and potentially harmful to regional relations. Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister said a United States attack had struck the desalination plant, disrupting water supplies to 30 villages and accusing Washington of setting a dangerous precedent.