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Last Updated:March 13, 2026, 17:46 IST
US-Israel-Iran war: UAE authorities have warned that such content can undermine defence efforts, incite public panic, and provide strategic information to hostile parties
Gulf countries came under Iranian attack after the US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. (Representational pic/AFP)
In the UAE, sharing images or videos of military incidents related to the Iran-Israel-US conflict can lead to imprisonment due to strict national security and cybercrime laws, according to reports.
Authorities have warned that such content can undermine defence efforts, incite public panic, and provide strategic information to hostile parties. Here’s all you need to know.
UAE and the US-Israel-Iran war
In the current conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is not a direct participant, but has been heavily targeted by Iranian retaliatory strikes. Despite declaring that its territory and airspace will not be used for attacks against Iran, the UAE has faced one of the highest volumes of incoming fire in the region, according to reports in ABC News, BBC and CNN.
US-Israel Vs Iran War News LIVE Updates HERE
Military involvement and defence in US-Israel-Iran war
The UAE has been forced into active military engagement to protect its sovereignty. Its air defense systems (including the US Patriot and THAAD) have intercepted over 278 ballistic missiles and 1,540 drones since the conflict began on February 28, 2026.
Iran has justified these attacks by citing the presence of US military facilities, such as the Al Dhafra Air Base and the Jebel Ali Port, which it views as legitimate targets despite the UAE’s neutrality in the offensive operations.
The UAE remains a “major defense partner" of the US and a signatory of the Abraham Accords with Israel, which Iran views as a betrayal and a security threat. Interceptions have resulted in at least six fatalities and over 130 injuries from falling debris. Structures such as the Burj Al Arab and Fairmont The Palm have sustained damage.
Major airports, including Dubai , have faced closures or flight cancellations. Educational impacts include the cancellation of board exams for thousands of students.
Following the strikes, the UAE severed diplomatic ties with Iran on March 1, 2026, withdrawing its ambassador and all staff from Tehran.
The UAE is spending an estimated $1.31 billion to $2.61 billion on air defense, far exceeding the cost of Iran’s relatively cheap drone barrages. High-profile firms in Dubai’s financial district, such as Citi, Deloitte, and PwC, have temporarily closed offices or evacuated employees due to the threat. Attacks on the Fujairah terminal and threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have caused global oil prices to surge, said reports.
Why sharing images, videos of US-Israel-Iran war is seen as a crime in UAE
1. Risk to national security: Footage of air defence interceptions or military activity can inadvertently reveal the locations of sensitive military installations. Shared images can be used by adversaries to assess the effectiveness of their strikes or to improve the accuracy of future attacks. Recording or sharing content related to ongoing military operations is a specific violation under Article 23 of the cybercrime law, according to reports in foreign media.
2. Spreading misinformation and panic: Authorities have detected a surge in AI-generated “deepfake" videos and recycled old footage being presented as current incidents in the UAE. Sharing unverified information that “incites public opinion" or “spreads panic" is a criminal offence. UAE law requires that information related to security incidents must only be sourced from official government channels.
3. Legal penalties and enforcement: Under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes, the penalties are severe.
Violators face a minimum of one year in prison for sharing false or misleading information. This can increase to two years if the content harms public security.
Fines typically range from AED 100,000 to AED 200,000 ($27,200 to $54,400). Foreign nationals, including tourists, are subject to deportation after serving their sentence.
Have there been any arrests?
So far, more than 20 individuals, including a British tourist, have reportedly been charged for filming or sharing missile-related content.
What if you have shared such content?
If you have accidentally shared such content, legal experts recommend deleting it immediately from all platforms, including private group chats like WhatsApp, as voluntary deletion may be treated as a mitigating factor by UAE courts.
With agency inputs
First Published:
March 13, 2026, 17:36 IST
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