Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of direct involvement in military operations against Tehran during the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on Thursday.
According to the Iranian state media, Araghchi responded to a comment by UAE’s top diplomat. However, the outlet did not specify what the comment was.
“I didn’t name the UAE in my (BRICS) statement for the sake of unity. But the truth is that the UAE was directly involved in the aggression against my country. When the attacks started, they didn’t even issue a condemnation,” Araghchi reportedly said.
UAE had earlier denied a statement made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he visited the country during the ongoing conflict. Araghchi had also reacted to the claim by saying that “those colluding with Israel to sow division will be held to account”.
According to the Iranian state media reports, Araghchi questioned the loyalty of the United States and Israel towards the UAE, highlighting that neither U.S bases nor an Israeli alliance provided Emirates with security. He pushed for the Gulf nation to reconsider its policy towards Iran.
He said, “We must live side-by-side in peace, and this requires peaceful relations and complete understanding between the two countries.”
Tehran had retailiated against the joint U.S-Israeli strikes on Iran in February 28 by targeting U.S bases in the Gulf countries. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, UAE had carried out military operations on Iran in early April. Western and Iranian officials also reported that Saudi Arabia had launched several, unpublicised strikes against Iran.
Iranian media also raised apprehensions on whether the representatives of the BRICS nations would issue a final statement due to the frequent clashes between Tehran and Abu Dhabi. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also claimed there were “problems and communications” due to the UAE’s presence.
