Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi accuses the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of playing an active role in the US-Israeli conflict against Tehran.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of being an "active partner" in the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran. Speaking at a BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi, India on May 14, 2026, Araqchi stated, "The UAE is an active partner in this aggression, and there is no doubt about it." He when the conflict began, the UAE refused to condemn Iranian retaliatory strikes against Israel and its allies in the Gulf region.
Araqchi also referenced a secret meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the war. The UAE has denied this meeting took place. "I must say that the UAE was directly involved in the act of aggression against my country," Araqchi said. He further alleged, "When this aggression began, they even refused to condemn it." According to him, it became clear that the UAE participated in these attacks and may have acted directly against Iran.
Relations between Iran and the UAE have been strained since February 28 when US-Israeli forces launched strikes against Iranian targets, including those in the Gulf region. This led to retaliatory strikes by Iran on Israeli and US allies in the area. A fragile ceasefire was established on April 8, but tensions remain high.
Iran has repeatedly accused Gulf states of allowing US military operations from their territory, while these nations have denied such accusations, maintaining that they would not permit their airspace or land to be used for attacks against Iran. Iranian state television has featured analysts alleging UAE involvement in the recent drone strike at an energy installation in Fujairah, one of the eastern emirates of the UAE.
The UAE has also blamed Iran for the same drone attack earlier this month. However, Iran denied these claims, emphasizing that it is committed to maintaining a peaceful resolution to the conflict and preventing further escalation.
