UAE released billions of dollars to Iran to ward off attacks: report
The United Arab Emirates released billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets as an olive branch to ward off further attacks, according to a report.
Four sources told Reuters that the UAE agreed to release $10 to $20 billion in frozen Iranian assets, $3 billion of which has been released, in exchange for Iran halting attacks against the Gulf country. After the article was published, the UAE’s Foreign Ministry came out with a strong denial, calling the report “entirely false and unfounded.”
When asked by Reuters, a UAE official did not deny that the transfer had taken place, saying it was committed to peace efforts.
“The UAE’s foreign policy is guided by promoting de-escalation and reducing tensions across the region, while advancing lasting peace and stability,” they said. “The UAE supports efforts, including those undertaken by the United States, to protect the peoples of the region from the repercussions of conflict.”
Circumstantial evidence suggested a shift occurred in early May — the UAE was the most attacked nation by Iran during the entire war, being targeted with more missiles and drones than any other, including Israel. After a final attack on May 4, Iran’s assaults abruptly stopped. Since then, Iran has focused its wrath on Kuwait and Bahrain, completely avoiding the UAE.
One source told Reuters that Iran had approached two other Gulf countries with the same arrangement.
Tagged: Middle East BACK TO HOMEPAGE