UAE Closes Embassy in Tehran Amid Escalating Tensions with Iran
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates announced Sunday the closure of its embassy in Tehran and the withdrawal of all diplomatic staff, a significant escalation following recent missile and drone attacks it attributes to Iran. The UAE government condemned the attacks as “aggressive” and a “dangerous and irresponsible” escalation of regional tensions.
The decision comes after attacks targeted airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as ports, hotels, and industrial areas, according to Emirati state news agency WAN. The UAE considers these attacks acts of aggression against civilian areas.
The escalating conflict has also impacted financial markets, with the UAE halting stock trading for two days following the strikes, Reuters reported.
Adding a layer of concern, former Spanish King Juan Carlos I, who resides in Abu Dhabi, was relocated to a hotel following the recent events. Sources close to the former monarch, as reported by ¡Hola! magazine, state he is “calm and safe” despite the unstable situation, acknowledging that “anything can happen” given the volatile environment. Travel is currently restricted due to airspace closures.
The UAE has forged closer ties with Israel in recent years, notably through the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between the two countries. This alignment has likely contributed to Iran’s targeting of the UAE, analysts suggest.
The attacks represent a serious challenge to regional stability and raise concerns about further escalation. The UAE’s response underscores the growing anxieties within the Gulf states regarding Iran’s regional activities.
