Fighting from the Iran-Iraq War breaks out within a few miles of the emirates' coast when Iran and Iraq begin to attack tankers in the Persian Gulf.

The intensity of such threats moves the emirates to join with Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait in 1981 to form the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to provide for regional defense and coordinate policy on trade and economic issues.

Sheikh Zayid ibn Sultan al-Nahyan of Abu Dhabi is elected president of the United Arab Emirates for a third successive five-year term.