Iran told Saudi Arabia and Oman that it planned to “heavily target” the UAE in response to the US-Israeli war on the Islamic Republic, in an apparent move to drive a wedge between Abu Dhabi and its Gulf neighbours, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal published on Thursday.
Tensions between the UAE and its Gulf neighbours, particularly Saudi Arabia, have been simmering for years.
The UAE’s exit from Opec this month was the latest sign that the war on Iran is exacerbating tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi as opposed to uniting them, Middle East Eye reported.
In one exchange, Iranian officials reportedly told their Saudi counterparts that they planned to crush the Emiratis, specifically mentioning Riyadh’s rift with Abu Dhabi.
The report did not say when the exchange took place, but added that the Saudi officials disapproved of the language.
