Iran accuses UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia of enabling US attacks

Tehran has detailed dozens of cases of US fighter jets and drones allegedly conducting missions over the Gulf states during strikes

Iran has formally accused the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia of allowing the US military to use their territory and airspace to launch and support strikes against the Islamic Republic, according to letters sent to the UN Security Council.

In separate complaints addressed to the Security Council and the UN secretary-general, Tehran detailed multiple instances of US fighter jets, bombers, reconnaissance drones, and support aircraft allegedly operating from or transiting the airspace of the three Gulf states from March 15-20. 

The letters, shared on social media by Adla Massoud, a UN correspondent for The National, warned that Iran reserves the right to take “all necessary and appropriate measures” in self-defense.

The incidents listed include F-35 and F-18 fighter jets, B-1 bombers, RQ-4 and U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, and P-8 maritime patrol planes operating over UAE, Qatari, and Saudi airspace in support of bombing raids on Iranian targets.

The letters urged the three nations to “observe the principles of good neighborliness” and stop making their territory available for attacks on Iran.

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The accusations come as the UN Security Council held closed-door consultations on Iran on Friday at Russia’s request. Evgeny Uspensky, the spokesperson for Russia’s UN mission, said the meeting was called “due to ongoing attacks on Iran’s civilian infrastructure, including education and healthcare facilities.” 

The US and Israel launched a massive military campaign against Iran on February 28, conducting airstrikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and hundreds of others. Iran has responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting US military installations across the Gulf, as well as infrastructure in countries hosting US forces.

Gulf states have increasingly been drawn into the conflict. Saudi Arabia expelled several Iranian diplomats last week, accusing Iran of “repeated attacks” on its territory. Qatar ordered Iranian military attaches to leave after strikes damaged one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas facilities. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan warned that the patience of the Gulf states “is not unlimited” and that military action against Iran cannot be ruled out.