Gulf States Turning Away from Iran... Saudi Arabia Supports UAE over 'Drone Attack'

Barakah Nuclear Plant Attack Condemned as a "Regional Security Threat"

Iran Raises Level of Warnings Toward Gulf States

As tensions escalate between the United States and Iran, the situation in Iran's neighboring countries is also rapidly changing. Saudi Arabia, which had previously maintained a diplomatically 'neutral' stance, has officially condemned the drone attack targeting the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), calling it a "threat to regional security."

February 13, 2020, Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE side is reported to have been attacked by an unidentified drone. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

According to AFP and other news outlets on the 17th (local time), the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement regarding the drone attack that caused a fire near the UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, describing it as "an act that threatens the security and stability of the region." Saudi Arabia expressed solidarity with the UAE and stressed, "We support all measures taken to protect the UAE’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity." While no official party has claimed responsibility for the drone attack, it is reported that the UAE is pointing to Iran as the perpetrator.

This declaration of support from Saudi Arabia comes at a time when relations between the two countries have been strained following the UAE’s withdrawal from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). According to foreign media reports, Saudi Arabia and the UAE launched a covert retaliatory attack against Iran following the outbreak of war between the United States and Iran at the end of February. However, both countries have officially denied this.

On the same day, the Saudi Ministry of Defense also announced that it had intercepted and destroyed three unmanned drones from Iraq that had entered Saudi airspace. The Saudi side warned, "We will take all necessary operational measures against any attempt to infringe upon our national sovereignty and security."

Iran, for its part, is also raising the level of warnings directed at Gulf states. Mohammad Mokhber, senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, posted on X (formerly Twitter) the previous day, stating, "For years, Iran has regarded them (the Gulf states) as friends and brothers, but they have traded away their independence and entrusted their territories and homelands to the enemies of Palestine and Iran."

On May 15 and 16, an officer of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps appeared on state broadcaster Ofogh, providing anchor Hossein Hosseini with detailed instruction on handling and firing AK-47-series assault rifles. The officer demonstrated the entire process as if conducting a real training session, including disassembling and assembling the firearm, loading and attaching magazines, aligning sights, firing, and checking the chamber.

Meanwhile, as negotiations to end hostilities between the United States and Iran remain at an impasse, war clouds are gathering across the Middle East. U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the social network Truth Social on this day, "Iran does not have much time left," adding, "They would do well to act quickly; otherwise, nothing will be left for them." According to the U.S. online media outlet Axios, President Trump also met with his national security aides at a private golf club in Virginia on the 16th and is scheduled to discuss future response plans with his national security team on the 18th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.