Iran's Rouhani assails UAE-Israeli deal as 'huge mistake'

While the deal to normalize ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been celebrated by some analysts and regional and world leaders, it instantly became an issue of concern for the Islamic Republic of Iran, which sees potential danger in an Israeli presence in the Persian Gulf.

Immediately after the announcement that Israel and the UAE have decided to normalize ties and establish commercial and communication links, President Hassan Rouhani criticized the decision. “The Emirates are making a huge mistake and I hope they return from this path,” Rouhani said.

The chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, Mohammad Bagheri, also attacked the UAE over the decision, saying that since Egypt and Israel signed a peace deal 42 years ago, Israel’s relations with Muslim countries have not expanded; rather, Israel has become more isolated. Bagheri added, “The Islamic Republic, like other countries and Islamic nations, views this as ‘strategic stupidity’ and ‘dangerous.’” He said this signals “a dangerous future for the Emirates glass palace.”

Bagheri warned that if “the Islamic Republic’s national security even sees the smallest damage” from the normalization of ties, which brings in an Israeli presence to the Persian Gulf, they will view the UAE for being at fault and will not tolerate it. He added, “We recommend until it is not too late for the UAE to reconsider this decision and not continue this path, which is detrimental to the security of the region and their country.”