Iran and the United Arab Emirates clashed during the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, after the Iranian foreign minister accused the Emirates of direct involvement in military operations against his country, Iranian state media reported.
The clash comes a day after the Emirates denied Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claim that he had visited the Gulf state during the war with Iran. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi responded by saying that "those who cooperate with Israel to sow discord will be held accountable."
"I did not mention the Emirates in my statement at BRICS for the sake of unity. But the truth is that the Emirates were directly involved in the aggression against my country. When the attacks started, they did not even condemn it," Iranian state media quoted Araqchi as saying on Thursday, in response to comments made by the Emirati representative.
Iranian state media did not specify what the Emirati representative had stated.
According to reports, Araqchi argued that neither American bases nor the alliance with Israel provide security to the Emirates and that they should reconsider their policy towards Iran.
"We must live side by side in peace, and this requires peaceful relations and full understanding between the two countries," Araqchi added.
The war with Iran began with American and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, while Tehran responded by launching missiles and drones at American bases and other targets in the Gulf countries.
The Wall Street Journal published a report on Monday that the Emirates conducted military operations against Iran in early April. Western and Iranian officials have also said that Saudi Arabia has also carried out a number of undeclared attacks on Iran.
Iranian media have raised doubts about whether participants in the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in India will be able to issue a final communique due to disagreements between Iran and the Emirates. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi was quoted as saying there were "problems and communication" due to the presence of the Emirates, writes Reuters.
