Iranian authorities have increasingly singled out the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their war messaging, warning of stronger strikes if the US and Israel resume attacks. Ali Khezrian, a member of Iran's parliament national security commission, told state television: "Our label of 'neighbours' with the Emirates has for now been lifted, and the label of 'hostile base' has been set for the country."
The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Iranian armed forces directly addressed Emirati leaders, stating they must not turn their country into "the den of Americans and Zionists." The statement said the UAE's deepening military, political and intelligence ties with the US and Israel contribute to regional insecurity, warning of a "crushing and regret-inducing response" to any further attacks on Iran's southern islands and ports.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared that the UAE's critical port of Fujairah sits in an area of the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian maritime control, subjecting any ship traveling to or from the port to Iran's jurisdiction. The port was struck earlier this month, but Iran denied responsibility.
The UAE has repeatedly condemned Iranian attacks and said it reserves the right to respond, including through military means. It has also terminated visas for Iranians, closed Iranian businesses, trade routes, and currency exchange networks. This has significantly impacted Iran, which imported much of its goods through Emirati ports. Tehran is trying to replace lost sea routes with land routes via Pakistan, Iraq, and Turkey due to the US naval blockade and soaring food inflation.
The US military has a significant presence in the UAE, including at al-Dhafra airbase near Abu Dhabi, hosting thousands of troops and advanced radar systems. The IRGC claimed it targeted this base during the war. In 2020, the UAE signed the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel, and since then, military and intelligence cooperation has expanded rapidly. Israel deployed its Iron Dome missile defense system to the UAE, a first in the Arab world.
The UAE and Iran have a long-running dispute over the islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, controlled by Iran since 1971 and crucial for control of the Strait of Hormuz. Since the war began, Iran has launched missiles and drones mostly against the UAE, as well as Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The UAE has not officially commented on alleged attacks on Iranian territory.
Source: www.aljazeera.com