Shehbaz Sharif condemns UAE attack and urges US-Iran ceasefire
Updated
Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 5
Shehbaz Sharif condemns UAE attack and urges US-Iran ceasefire
9 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 5
In an X post, Pakistan's prime minister said yesterday's missile and drone strike hit civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates.
Sharif said preserving the truce was essential to keep diplomatic space open for dialogue and support lasting regional peace and stability.
Pakistan, which helped recent US-Iran negotiations, has ties to Washington and Tehran and wants to avoid pressure over defending Saudi Arabia or facilitating US attacks on Iran.
Can Pakistan's diplomatic balancing act between Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the US survive another major attack?
With the Strait of Hormuz threatened, what is the new lifeline for global energy security?
How can advanced militaries win a war where cheap drones overwhelm billion-dollar defense systems?
Fragile US-Iran Ceasefire Strained by UAE Attacks and Deadlocked Diplomacy in May 2026
Overview
On May 4, 2026, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on critical UAE infrastructure, including a major strike on the Fujairah oil refinery, injuring three Indian workers and disrupting regional calm. These attacks shattered the fragile US-Iran ceasefire and triggered a spike in global oil prices, worsening economic pressures worldwide, especially in Asia-Pacific and developing countries. Pakistan condemned the attacks and intensified its mediation efforts between the US and Iran, supported by China’s peace initiative. However, ongoing military tensions, deadlocked diplomacy, and regional conflicts, such as Hezbollah’s actions against Israel, continue to threaten stability, making the risk of wider conflict and prolonged damage to energy infrastructure increasingly likely.