Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi accused the United Arab Emirates of being directly involved in military operations against Iran during a BRICS meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, according to Iranian state media.
The dispute escalated a day after the UAE rejected claims by Benjamin Netanyahu that he had visited the Gulf nation during the Iran conflict. Araghchi had earlier warned that 'those collaborating with Israel to create division will be held accountable.'
Araghchi Criticizes UAE
'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,' state media quoted Araqchi as saying on Thursday, in response to comments made by the Emirati representative.
Iranian state media did not specify what the Emirati representative said.
According to the reports, Araqchi argued that neither U.S. bases nor an alliance with Israel provided the UAE with security and that it should reconsider its policy toward Iran.
'We must live side by side in peace, and this requires peaceful relations and complete understanding between the two countries,' Araqchi added.
Regional Tensions Cast Shadow Over BRICS Meeting
The Iran war began with U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28, with Tehran responding by firing missiles and drones at U.S. bases and other targets in Gulf countries.
The Wall Street Journal published a story on Monday saying the UAE carried out military operations on Iran in early April. Saudi Arabia has also launched numerous, unpublicized strikes against Iran, Western and Iranian officials have said.
Iranian media have raised doubt as to whether the participants at the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in India will manage to issue a final communique as a result of differences between Iran and the UAE, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi being cited as saying there were 'problems and communications' due to the UAE's presence.
(With inputs from Reuters)