The United Arab Emirates will not let its airspace, territory or territorial waters be used for any hostile military actions against Iran, the UAE foreign ministry said on Monday, reaffirming its commitment to neutrality and regional stability.

Uncertainty over the possibility of military action in Iran has lingered after US President Donald Trump said last week that an "armada" was heading towards the country but that he hoped he would not have to use it.

Trump's warnings to Tehran were against killing protesters or restarting its nuclear programme.

Iran has been embroiled in protests which rights groups say left thousands of people, including bystanders, killed. The rights groups describe the unrest as the biggest crackdown since Shi'ite Muslim clerics took power in the 1979 revolution.