Iran has issued a sharp warning to the United Arab Emirates against deepening its ties with Israel, amid rising tensions in the Middle East following a drone strike near the UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant. Senior Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei said Tehran’s patience was “limited” and cautioned Abu Dhabi against becoming involved in what he described as “Israel’s plots and schemes” in the region. The remarks come as fears of a wider regional conflict continue to intensify.

Speaking to Iran’s Students’ News Agency, Rezaei — a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and current secretary of the Expediency Council — claimed Iran had shown restraint despite recent escalations involving Gulf nations. He said Iran had not closed the door to friendly relations with the UAE but warned that continued cooperation with Israel could further complicate relations between Tehran and Abu Dhabi. His comments reflected growing Iranian concern over expanding Israeli influence in the Gulf region.

The warning follows a drone strike on Sunday that triggered a fire near the UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant, the Arab world’s only operational nuclear energy facility. UAE authorities described the incident as an “unprovoked terrorist attack” and confirmed there were no injuries or radiation leaks. Although no group officially claimed responsibility, the attack heightened tensions across the region and renewed concerns over the vulnerability of strategic infrastructure amid ongoing hostilities involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

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Relations between the UAE and Israel have strengthened significantly since the signing of the US-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020, under which the UAE and Bahrain formally recognized Israel. Since then, Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv have expanded cooperation in defense, technology, and security. Reports in recent months have suggested that the UAE has worked closely with Israel on air defense systems aimed at countering regional missile and drone threats linked to Iran and its allied groups.

Iranian officials have repeatedly criticized Gulf countries for hosting Western military assets and strengthening ties with Israel. Rezaei’s latest remarks also came amid allegations that the UAE may have supported retaliatory actions against Iranian interests during the ongoing regional conflict. Iranian leaders have argued that foreign military cooperation in the Gulf threatens regional stability and increases the risk of direct confrontation involving neighboring states.

The latest escalation underscores the fragile state of security in the Middle East as diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington remain stalled. Regional powers continue to monitor developments closely, especially after the attack on the Barakah facility drew widespread condemnation. Analysts say the exchange of warnings between Iran and Gulf nations reflects a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape where military tensions, nuclear concerns, and strategic alliances are becoming increasingly intertwined.

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