Tensions in West Asia have reached a new peak as Iran formally accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of direct involvement in military operations led by the United States and Israel. The accusation was made by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi during a BRICS meeting in New Delhi this Thursday, May 14, 2026.
According to Iranian state media, Araqchi claimed that the UAE acted as an "active partner" in the aggression against his country. This diplomatic clash follows a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, claiming that Netanyahu held a "secret" meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the conflict. While the UAE has denied these claims, Araqchi asserted that those colluding with Israel to sow division would be held accountable.
"The truth is that the UAE was directly involved in the aggression against my country," Araqchi stated, noting that the UAE failed to issue a condemnation when the attacks first began. He further argued that neither U.S. military bases nor an alliance with Israel provides genuine security for the UAE, urging the Gulf nation to reconsider its policy toward Tehran.
The current state of conflict, referred to as the "Iran war," began on February 28, when U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted Iran, prompting Tehran to respond with missiles and drones aimed at U.S. bases and other targets across Gulf countries. Despite the hostility, Araqchi emphasized that Iran remains open to diplomacy, insisting there is "no such thing as a military solution" for the crisis.
Beyond the Iran-UAE rift, the region remains volatile. In Lebanon, the health ministry reported that 22 people, including eight children, were killed on Wednesday following intensified Israeli strikes south of Beirut. Simultaneously, an explosive drone launched by Hezbollah reportedly fell within Israeli territory, causing several civilian injuries.
In a bid to stabilize the situation, Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to begin new peace talks in Washington starting this Thursday. These negotiations come as a previous ceasefire nears its end, despite ongoing casualties from military raids.
The instability has also extended to critical maritime routes. A UK maritime agency reported that an unknown group seized a ship off the UAE coast near the Strait of Hormuz, which is now reportedly heading toward Iran. In contrast, ship-tracking data from LSEG confirmed that a Panama-flagged crude oil tanker managed by Japan's Eneos successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, highlighting the precarious balance of trade and conflict in one of the world's most vital shipping lanes.
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Iran accuses UAE of 'active role' as Lebanon-Israel talks due
cgtn.com
