UAE Calls on Arab States to Coordinate Positions on Iran

UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan calls on Arab states to assume a united and decisive position in regard to Iran.

CAIRO (Sputnik) — The United Arab Emirates condemn Iran's alleged meddling in the affairs of Arab countries and call on all Arab states to coordinate positions in regard to the Islamic Republic, UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said Sunday.

Earlier this week, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sent an open letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, urging him to take action against "certain people" in Riyadh trying to plunge the Middle East region into a crisis with their "provocations".

"We firmly condemn attacks on Saudi Arabian diplomatic missions and reject Iran's policy on meddling in the affairs of Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. This includes responses to court decisions. We call on Arab states to assume a united and decisive position in regard to Iran," Al Nahyan said at an Arab League meeting.

Last week, protesters stormed the Saudi Arabian embassy in Iran after Riyadh executed top Iranian Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, along with 42 other people convicted of terrorism. Nimr had demanded more rights for Shiites, who are a minority in Saudi Arabia.

Shortly following the unrest, a diplomatic row erupted in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia severing diplomatic ties with Iran, the region’s main Shiite power. Bahrain followed in Riyadh's footsteps, together with Sudan and Djibouti.

The United Arab Emirates also scaled down its diplomatic representation in Iran and Kuwait recalled their ambassadors to Tehran.