Iran MP accuses UAE of acting as Israel’s economic wing

Alireza Salimi, a member of the praesidium of Iran’s parliament, has described the United Arab Emirates as a “second Israel,” citing its political and economic alignment with the Jewish state.

“The United Arab Emirates can essentially be considered a second Israel, since ‘military’ Israel is located in the occupied [Palestinian] territories, while Abu Dhabi is viewed as Israel’s economic wing,” Salimi said, according to Russian media, citing the Iranian parliament’s press service.

He further argued that the UAE leadership lacks domestic support and no longer defends national interests, instead relying on external powers and aligning itself with the United States and Israel.

The remarks come amid a broader escalation in the region. On February 28, the United States and Israel began a war against Iran, with strikes hitting major cities, including Tehran. In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched a large-scale retaliatory operation targeting Israel.

The escalation also extended beyond Iran and Israel, with US military facilities in Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia coming under attack.

By Tamilla Hasanova