A week into the US-Israeli war against Iran, the United Arab Emirates’ president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan toured a hospital, visiting civilians wounded in Iranian missile attacks. He clutched the hands of patients, bending to kiss one on the forehead as he sought to reassure a nation that had been abruptly thrust on to the front lines of conflict. But he also had a warning for the state’s enemies: “Do not be misled by the UAE’s appearance,” Sheikh Mohamed said, raising a finger to make his point. “The UAE has thick skin and bitter flesh — we are no easy prey.”
在美以对伊朗的战争爆发一周后，阿拉伯联合酋长国总统穆罕默德•本•扎耶德•阿勒纳哈扬(Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan)视察了一家医院，看望在伊朗导弹袭击中受伤的平民。他紧握病人的手，俯身亲吻其中一人的额头，试图安抚一个被骤然推上冲突前线的国家。但他也向国家的敌人发出警告：“不要被阿联酋的表象所迷惑，”穆罕默德酋长举起一根手指强调道，“阿联酋皮糙肉厚——绝非任人宰割。”