New Delhi: Iran Wednesday denied striking the United Arab Emirates recently, at the same time saying that any military action taken was “defensive” and aimed solely at US assets in the region.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while rejecting unfounded claims by Abu Dhabi regarding missile and drone launches from Iran toward the UAE, emphasises that the defensive measures undertaken by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran at this stage have been solely directed at countering US aggression,” the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The statement added: “(Iran) strongly calls on Abu Dhabi to refrain from continued collusion and cooperation with hostile parties (the United States and the Zionist regime) in carrying out actions that contravene international law against Iran.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, while condemning the destructive actions of the rulers of Abu Dhabi in collusion with hostile parties against the Islamic Republic of Iran—including the continued hosting of their military bases and equipment—warns of the dangerous consequences of this situation for regional peace and stability,” said the statement Wednesday.
The statement added: “They (the UAE) have engaged in evident cooperation with the aggressor United States, thereby threatening Iran’s national security and interests. Despite this, the Islamic Republic of Iran has demonstrated maximum restraint, acting responsibly and with due regard for the collective good of the region and the Islamic community.”
The Iranian statement comes almost 48 hours after Abu Dhabi announced it had shot down 19 missiles and drones emanating from Iran Monday afternoon. The attack left three Indians “moderately injured” in the Fujairah petroleum complex that was hit in the strikes, according to a statement by the Emirati Ministry of Defence late Monday evening.
India Tuesday condemned the attacks against civilian infrastructure in the UAE and called on all parties involved to cease hostilities. The attacks on the UAE occurred the same day the US launched ‘Project Freedom’ that envisaged using guided missile destroyers to aid merchant vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
At least two US-flagged merchant vessels, including one owned by Danish shipping giant Maersk, transited the international waterway that has been effectively closed since hostilities between the US-Israel and Iran broke out at the end of February.
US President Donald J. Trump late Tuesday evening suspended ‘Project Freedom’ after announcing that major progress has been made towards a deal between Washington and Tehran.
However, Iran has maintained that it will not directly negotiate with the US until the American naval blockade is lifted. The US has unleashed a package of sanctions aimed at striking at Iran’s remaining links to the global economic network, while blockading Iranian ports, preventing the flow of goods and oil from the West Asian nation.
The two countries have yet to reach a peaceful settlement to the conflict. The ceasefire in place since 8 April teetered on the edge Monday when Iran allegedly attacked the UAE.
Iran has maintained that any and all American assets in the region are legitimate targets in the face of continued US military actions. A number of countries in the region are home to large US bases. The UAE faced the brunt of Iran’s retaliation during the roughly 40-day conflict before the ceasefire last month.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi Wednesday in Beijing. This is the first visit by the Iranian Foreign Minister to China since the war began.
China influenced Iran to agree to the ceasefire. Beijing has been the main economic lifeline for Tehran, buying large amounts of Iranian oil despite American sanctions. China informed its refiners to ignore the latest set of sanctions on Iran, according to media reports.
The US has been pushing China to step up its diplomatic efforts and bring Iran to heel with a peaceful deal to end the war. US President Trump is set to travel to Beijing next week to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The two leaders last met last year in the South Korean city of Busan. The visit comes as ties between the US and China have remained steady in the last few months. For China, Trump’s visit is important as the two world’s largest economies grapple with the evolving global economic situation.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
Also read: ‘Unacceptable,’ says India after Iran attacks injure 3 Indians in UAE, calls for Hormuz access