UAE, Bahrain Slam Iran’s Violations in Gulf

Gulf

September 29th, 4:56am

Asharq Al-Awsat

The Foreign Minister of the UAE addresses the UN General Assembly. (WAM)

The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have called on world leaders to take a firm stance with Iran, voicing solidarity with Saudi Arabia after a September 14 attack on its oil facilities that has been widely blamed on Tehran. UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan said Saturday that Iran's nuclear agreement with world powers should have included the Arab Gulf states, and addressed its ballistic missile program and support for armed groups. "We are speaking here about a country that seeks to export its revolution," he said in an address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. “We have an opportunity to achieve sustainable solutions that serve the interest of the region through the political initiative supported by the international community, by focusing on strengthening the implementation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.” “These are the core pillars of preventing the collapse of international order and preserving relations among states. To achieve this goal, we need to support the capacity of states to abide by their legal obligations, and we need to hold accountable those states that violate their obligations,” he remarked. “For 48 years, the UAE has never ceased in its demand for its sovereignty and legitimate right over the three islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, that are occupied by Iran in flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter. Historical records clearly prove the UAE’s ownership of these islands and prove that they have been under Arab rule since ancient times.” “We will never abandon our demand that Iran must return these islands to their owners,” he declared. Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa accused Iran of perpetuating terrorism, and of specifically endorsing militant groups that have transformed Iraq "into a launching pad to hit its targets." “The Iranian regime with its terrorist Revolutionary Guard Corps have an abusive record that is filled with violations of international charters and resolutions, whether it was through the establishment and support of terrorist militias, or through its continuous attempts to cause chaos and sedition, and by interfering in the internal affairs of many countries in the region, including the Kingdom of Bahrain,” he added. “This is also seen in its unjust occupation of the three islands of the United Arab Emirates and the direct threat resulting from this continued occupation.” He also hailed the efforts of the Iraqi government in confronting the “outlaw and armed factions of the Iranian regime, which have become a serious danger not only to Iraq, but also disrespected the inviolability of diplomatic missions in its territories, affected neighboring countries and made Iraq a starting point for terrorist objectives.” “We cannot overlook the dangerous role played by Hezbollah in spreading extremism and terrorism, as well as inciting hatred and implementing the Iranian agenda to perpetuate tensions and crises in the region,” he continued. “We stress the need to deter this terrorist party and its threats from the region,” he demanded.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1923486/uae-bahrain-slam-iran%E2%80%99s-violations-gulf