Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of actively participating in what he described as US-Israeli military aggression against Iran.
Speaking on Thursday in a post on Telegram while attending a BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in India, Araghchi said there was “no doubt” that the UAE played a role in the conflict.
He further claimed that the UAE may have even been directly involved in actions against Iran during the escalation.
Reference to alleged secret meetings
Araghchi also pointed to reports of a so-called “secret meeting” between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE leadership during the conflict. However, UAE authorities have denied that such a meeting ever took place.
The Iranian minister suggested that the UAE’s political stance during the war—particularly its failure to condemn the attacks—indicated support for the aggression.
UAE rejects accusations
The United Arab Emirates has repeatedly denied any involvement in attacks against Iran. Abu Dhabi has also rejected earlier accusations that it allowed its territory or airspace to be used for military operations targeting Tehran.
UAE officials maintain that they do not permit their land or infrastructure to be used for actions against any country in the region.
Background: escalating regional tensions
Relations between Iran and Gulf countries, including the UAE, have been strained since late February, when US and Israeli strikes reportedly triggered retaliatory Iranian attacks across the region, including against US allies in the Gulf.
The situation further escalated before a fragile ceasefire was established on April 8, which has helped reduce direct hostilities but has not fully resolved underlying tensions.
Broader regional accusations
Iran has repeatedly accused Gulf states of supporting or enabling US military operations against it, often alleging that regional bases or facilities are indirectly used in such actions. Gulf countries have consistently denied these claims.
At the same time, Iranian state media has continued to highlight alleged foreign involvement in attacks on its territory, further intensifying political rhetoric in the region.
Fujairah incident adds to tensions
Earlier this month, the UAE accused Iran of being behind a drone strike targeting an energy installation in the eastern emirate of Fujairah. Iran has denied any involvement in that incident.
The mutual accusations highlight the continuing mistrust between the two sides, despite broader efforts in the region to avoid a full-scale escalation.
Situation remains fragile
While a ceasefire is currently in place, diplomatic tensions remain high across the Gulf. Analysts say that such exchanges of allegations risk undermining fragile regional stability and complicating ongoing diplomatic efforts involving multiple international actors.
