Tehran, Iran – Iranian authorities have increasingly singled out the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their war messaging, and have warned of stronger strikes against the country if the United States and Israel resume their attacks.“Our label of ‘neighbours’ with the Emirates has for now been lifted, and the label of ‘hostile base’ has been set for the country,” Ali Khezrian, a member of the Iranian parliament’s national security commission, told state television earlier this week.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listThe Arab country was also directly referenced in statements issued by the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Iranian armed forces this month, after Iran and the US traded fire over the Strait of Hormuz, despite a ceasefire announced in April.The joint command, led by generals of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), directly addressed Emirati leaders a week ago, and said they must not turn their country into “the den of Americans and Zionists and their military forces and equipment to betray the world of Islam and Muslims”.It said the UAE’s deepening military, political and intelligence ties with the US and Israel were contributing to regional insecurity, and warned of a “crushing and regret-inducing response” to any more attacks against Iran’s southern islands and ports.The IRGC has also declared that the UAE’s critical port of Fujairah sits on an area of the Strait of Hormuz over which Iran exerts maritime control, therefore subjecting any ship travelling to or from the port to be in Iran’s jurisdiction. The port was struck earlier this month, but Iran denied responsibility. Advertisement The UAE, for its part, has repeatedly condemned Iranian attacks and said it reserves the right to respond, including through military means.It has also terminated visas for Iranians living there for y …
