Bahrain, UAE Urge Action Against Iran

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Bahrain’s foreign minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa accused Iran of decades of terrorism in the region, as reported by Arab News

He said that in Yemen, where Iran supports the Houthi militia fighting the Arab coalition, Tehran’s interference was the main threat to the country’s stability.  “We shall persevere in our efforts to save Yemen and restore its security and stability,” Sheikh Khalid said in his address to the UN General Assembly in New York.  “We urge all Yemen national parties to unify their efforts with those of their legitimate government and to confront the illegitimate Houthi militia supported by Iran.”

The international deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program failed to change Tehran’s behavior, the UAE said on the same forum.  UAE foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed said those behind the deal should have consulted countries in the region.  The “agreement could not achieve the expected change in Iran’s behavior or compel Iran to abide by international law and good neighborliness.  “The nuclear agreement should have taken in to consideration the views of the countries of this vital region who fully understand its history.”  Sheikh Abdullah said the agreement should have included other aspects of Iran’s activities, including its interference in other countries, its development of ballistic missiles and its provision of arms to terrorist groups.

Many Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, have used the General Assembly to highlight what they describe as the ongoing destabilizing activities of Iran.  Tensions have increased throughout the year and peaked when drones and cruise missiles hit two of Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities this month. Iran has been widely blamed for being behind the attack.   The US pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal last year and reimposed crippling economic sanctions on Iran.  Tehran has been accused of responding by lashing out with attacks on shipping in the Gulf region.