Iranian military chief Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri warns that "if something happens in the Persian Gulf and if our national security is damaged we will hold the UAE responsible." Abu Dhabi says it finds belligerent rhetoric by Iranian officials "unacceptable, inflammatory, and carrying serious repercussions for the security and stability of the Arabian Gulf region," summons Iranian diplomat for clarification.
Stepping up its belligerent rhetoric against the United Arab Emirates over its historic peace deal with Israel, Iranian officials over the weekend threatened outright to launch attacks against Abu Dhabi.
"The UAE's great betrayal of the Palestinian people ... will turn this small, rich country, which is heavily dependent on security, into a legitimate and easy target," Iranian hardline conservative daily Kayhan, quoted officials in the regime as saying.
The newspaper, whose editor in chief was appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is considered to have a direct line to Tehran.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has also condemned the deal, saying the agreement between the UAE and the Jewish state is a "betrayal of the Palestinian cause" and the UAE had made a "huge mistake."
These statements were echoed by Iranian Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri who told local media Sunday that the Islamic republic's "approach" to the United Arab Emirates will change in the wake of the accord. READ MORE
