UAE summons Iranian envoy over denunciation of Israel deal

The United Arab Emirates summoned the Iranian charges d’affaires in Abu Dhabi over President Hassan Rouhani’s reaction to the UAE’s deal to establish ties with Israel, which it deemed “inflammatory.”

The UAE handed the official a letter condemning Iran’s response to last week’s announcement, saying it had serious implications for the region’s stability, according to a tweet by Hend Al Otaiba, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ director of strategic communications.

.@MoFAICUAE summons
Iranian Charge D’affaires & hands him a strong note of protest against threats in President Rouhani’s speech on UAE sovereign decisions.
Ministry considers the speech unacceptable & inflammatory w/ serious implications for security & stability in the region.

— هند مانع العتيبة Hend Al Otaiba (@hend_mana) August 16, 2020

Tehran termed the pact as a strategic mistake.

Iran’s regional and nuclear ambitions have drawn Israel and Gulf Arab states closer in recent years, and Israeli and American officials have said they expect other Arab nations to follow the UAE’s suit.

In a statement late on Sunday the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Nayef al-Hajraf, condemned the “threats” made by Rouhani against the UAE.

“These threats have serious consequences on the security and stability of the Gulf region and contradict all the diplomatic norms,” al-Hajraf said. “The GCC stands by the UAE against any threats relates to its security and stability.”