ABU DHABI -UNS: The United Arab Emirates has suspended all trade activities, exchanges and financial transactions with Iran until further notice amid heightened regional tensions following an alleged missile incident.
The UAE Foreign Ministry announced the decision on Wednesday, saying the latest regional escalation posed a threat to regional and international peace and security.
The move came after the UAE Defence Ministry said it had detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran on Tuesday — the first such incident reported since the May 4 strike on Fujairah port.
According to the ministry, preliminary assessments indicated that the missiles were directed towards “maritime traffic.” Both missiles fell into the sea and no casualties were reported.
Iran rejected the UAE’s allegations. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the claims as “baseless” and urged regional countries to refrain from making what he called unsubstantiated accusations against Tehran.
Baghaei said assessments of regional security should also take into account what Iran describes as continued destabilizing actions by the United States and Israel. He also raised the possibility of false-flag operations in the region.
The latest development comes amid growing uncertainty over efforts to end the wider conflict. A 60-day window for US-Iran peace negotiations expired on Monday without a breakthrough, increasing concerns about renewed military escalation.
The conflict has already disrupted maritime traffic through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz since February, adding to concerns over regional security and global trade.
Meanwhile, the UAE Defence Ministry said its forces remained fully prepared to respond to any threats to the country’s security and stability.
“The Defence Ministry affirms its full readiness to deal with any threats and firmly confront anything that aims to destabilise the state’s security,” the ministry said.
