The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed profound concern over recent regional developments, urging an immediate halt to the ongoing military escalation.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Saturday, called on all parties to prevent further escalation of tension and instability, urging maximum selfrestraint to avoid dangerous repercussions that could plunge the region into new cycles of violence.

In addition, the UAE called for an immediate halt of hostilities and a rapid return to negotiations, stressing the importance of ensuring safe, uninterrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as a vital to the global economy, the statement noted.

The ministry affirmed that the targeting of civilian infrastructure and facilities in the region, including schools, universities, hospitals, desalination plants, energy facilities, transportation hubs, and residential areas, constitute a fragrant and grave violation of the established principles and provisions of international law, the statement pointed out. Under any circumstances, such acts cannot be accepted or justified, it reiterated.