Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned the United Arab Emirates against colluding with the U.S. and Israel during a meeting in New Delhi [1].
This confrontation highlights the deepening rift between Tehran and several Gulf states as regional tensions escalate amid the Israel-Hamas war. The warning signals Iran's willingness to use international diplomatic forums to pressure Arab neighbors who align with Western powers.
Araghchi delivered the remarks on Thursday, March 7, 2024, during a two-day [2] BRICS foreign ministers meeting [3]. The gathering included representatives from the five original member states — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — along with newer members [4].
During the proceedings, Araghchi accused the UAE of cooperating with the U.S. and Israel. He said, "Those who collude with Israel and the United States must be warned that their entitlement will be shattered" [1].
Tehran is reacting to what it perceives as a dangerous alignment between Arab states and the U.S. in the region. Araghchi said, "Iran will not tolerate any Arab state that aligns itself with the United States against us" [1].
The meeting in India served as a backdrop for several bilateral discussions, including talks between Araghchi and Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar [3]. Jaishankar said that the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting is now a platform where West-Asia crises are being aired openly [5].
While some reports focused on the general tensions of the summit, other accounts specifically highlighted Araghchi's public warning to the UAE regarding its security and diplomatic ties with the U.S. [1].
“"Those who collude with Israel and the United States must be warned that their entitlement will be shattered."”
The public nature of Araghchi's warning suggests that Iran is shifting from quiet diplomacy to overt threats to discourage Gulf states from normalizing ties with Israel or deepening security partnerships with the U.S. By utilizing the BRICS forum, Iran is attempting to frame its regional grievances within a broader geopolitical struggle against Western influence, signaling that it views Arab alignment with the U.S. as a direct security threat.
