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Iran’s armed forces on May 5 denied carrying out any missile or drone attacks against the United Arab Emirates in recent days.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, citing a statement by a spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said that no such operations had been conducted, adding that any action would have been “clearly and officially announced.”
“The UAE defense ministry’s report is categorically denied and has no validity,” he added.
The spokesman warned that if any attack against Iran originates from the UAE territory, the Islamic Republic would respond with a “decisive and regret-inducing” retaliation.
He also accused the UAE of allowing U.S. and Israeli forces to operate from its territory, urging Emirati authorities not to become a base for what he described as hostile powers.
Iran launched 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four drones at the UAE on May 4, according to the Emirate defense ministry. The Fujairah Oil Industries Zone was hit. Three Indian nationals were wounded there as a result of the attack.
Three vessels, including a tanker owned by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, were also targeted close to the Gulf nation.
The strikes were likely carried out in response to “Project Freedom,” an operation launched by the United States military to guide stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz. In the first hours of the operation, American strikes hit at least seven Iranian small boats.
Iran’s latest warning shows that the Islamic Republic has marked the UAE as a prime target if the ceasefire ends and the war resumes.
The claims of American and Israeli forces being present in the Gulf nation are true. The U.S. boosted its military presence there in recent weeks, going as far as deploying fighter jets. Israel also deployed air defense systems along with their operators there.
The UAE condemned Iran’s latest strikes and said that it will reserve the legal right to respond. Taking into account recent American and Israeli deployments there, it is highly likely that the Gulf nation will end up joining the fight against Iran if the war resumes.
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