NEW DELHI,— Iran’s foreign minister accused the United Arab Emirates of taking part in military actions against Iran during a BRICS meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, Iranian state media reported.

The dispute followed comments made a day earlier after the UAE rejected a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he had visited the UAE during the Iran war.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had already responded by saying that those cooperating with Israel to create division would be held responsible.

State media quoted Araqchi as saying he did not mention the UAE during his speech at the BRICS meeting in order to protect unity among member states.

“But the truth is that the UAE was directly involved in the aggression against my country. They failed to condemn the attacks when they began,” Araqchi said in reply to comments by the Emirati representative, according to Iranian media.

The reports did not explain what the UAE representative said during at the BRICS meeting.

Iranian state media reported that Araqchi said U.S. military bases and the UAE’s relations with Israel had failed to guarantee security for the Gulf state, while calling on Abu Dhabi to review its policy toward Tehran.

“We must live side by side in peace, and this requires peaceful relations and complete understanding between the two countries,” he added.

The war began on February 28, 2026 after U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted Iran. Tehran later responded by launching thousands of missiles and drones toward the UAE and other Gulf targets.

Analysts said the UAE suffered most of the damage during the conflict with Iran. Iranian strikes reportedly targeted airports, seaports, hotels, residential areas and oil facilities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, according to the report.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that the UAE carried out military operations against Iran in early April. Western and Iranian officials also said Saudi Arabia launched several undisclosed strikes against Iran.

Iranian media also questioned whether BRICS foreign ministers meeting in India would issue a final communique because of disagreements between Iran and the UAE.

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said there were “problems and communications” linked to the UAE’s participation.

(With files from Reuters)

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