UAE and Iran Exchange Accusations at BRICS Meeting

The United Arab Emirates and Iran engaged in a sharp diplomatic confrontation during a BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi on May 16, 2026. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the UAE of being an active partner in aggression, claiming the country allowed its territory to be used to launch attacks against Iran. In response, UAE Minister of State Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar dismissed these as malicious claims and asserted the UAE's sovereign right to defend itself.

This friction follows a period of intense escalation that began on February 28, 2026, with US-Israeli airstrikes. The UAE previously attempted to rally the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) into a joint military campaign against Iran, but member states rejected the proposal to avoid further violence. Consequently, the UAE coordinated separate strikes against Iran in March and April alongside Israel and the Trump administration, including a secret meeting between President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on March 26 in Al Ain. This strategic pivot led the UAE to exit OPEC in late April and announce its departure from the GCC.

During the New Delhi exchange, Al Marar stated that the UAE has intercepted nearly 3,000 Iranian missiles and drones since February. He further accused Iran of committing piracy by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz. These tensions persist despite an April 8 ceasefire mediated by Pakistan, which was later extended indefinitely by US President Donald Trump.