Recent Iranian state media and officials have escalated rhetoric labeling the UAE an adversary alongside the US and Israel, citing Abu Dhabi's ties to Jerusalem and renewed claims to the three disputed Gulf islands. In late September 2026, UAE statements at the UN General Assembly reiterated calls for bilateral talks or ICJ referral on Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, prompting sharp Iranian rebuttals. August 2026 saw UAE accusations of Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at maritime traffic near its waters, leading to a full suspension of trade and financial links; Tehran denied the claims. These incidents build on earlier 2026 conflict strikes and ongoing Hormuz shipping frictions, shaping trader assessments of escalation risks through diplomatic channels or proxy actions. Scheduled UN or bilateral engagements could influence near-term probabilities.