Abu dhabi: A senior diplomatic adviser to United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has dismissed recent accusations by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, stating that claims of attacks on Iran being launched from UAE territory are indicative of a 'confused policy.'
According to Anadolu Agency, Anwar Gargash, the adviser, made his remarks on the US social media platform X. He pointed out that the accusations followed '1,909 brutal Iranian attacks' directed at the UAE. Gargash described Tehran's actions as part of a 'confused policy' and asserted that Iran had 'misidentified the target, lost the compass, and abandoned wisdom.'
Gargash emphasized the UAE's right to defend itself against 'terrorist aggression,' but noted that the nation continues to prioritize diplomacy and reason while seeking solutions to reduce tensions in the region. He criticized Araghchi's justification, suggesting it only served to 'condemn his own country, deepen its isolation, and expose its aggression.' Gargash also highlighted the UAE's efforts to mediate between Washington and Tehran to avoid further conflict.
The accusations from Araghchi came during an interview with MS Now TV, where he alleged that the US attacks on Kharg Island and Abu Musa Island were launched 'from the soil of our neighbors,' explicitly naming the UAE. He described these actions as 'unacceptable.'
Earlier, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the US had targeted military installations on Kharg Island and threatened further action against Iran's oil infrastructure if ship blockades in the Strait of Hormuz continued. Kharg Island is a critical hub for Iran's oil exports, handling a significant portion of the country's crude shipments.
The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed by Iran since March 1, following joint attacks by Israel and the US that resulted in significant casualties, including the death of Iran's then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Iran has launched retaliatory strikes against US military assets and allied countries in the region.