Iranian President Hassan Rouhani criticized UAE for reaching a deal to establish regular diplomatic relations with Israel. He considered it a betrayal by the Gulf state. In response to the UAE-Israel agreement, Rouhani said “They better be mindful. They have made a huge mistake, a treacherous act.” However, in response to Iranian criticism, UAE’s foreign ministry summoned Iranian diplomat and handed him a strong-worded memo. According to the statement of UAE foreign ministry, the speech was “unacceptable and inflammatory and had serious implications for security and stability in the Gulf region”. UAE has also reminded Iran of its duty to protect the UAE’s diplomatic mission in Iran as reports emerged about the small group of protesters gathered outside the UAE embassy in Tehran to protest against the deal.
