ABU DHABI – The United Arab Emirates has suspended all trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran until further notice, citing regional escalations that threaten peace and security.
Afra Al Hameli, Director of the Strategic Communications Department at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rejected allegations concerning the current state of economic relations between the UAE and Iran.
According to the UAE state news agency WAM, Al Hameli reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to dialogue, cooperation and regional integration as key means of promoting peace, stability and prosperity.
However, she said that the UAE had halted economic and financial dealings with Iran in response to regional developments. Al Hameli also stressed that the UAE remains committed to protecting the integrity of the international financial system in accordance with international law and global standards.
Separately, the UAE Ministry of Defence said assessments showed that two ballistic missiles detected by the UAE originated from Iran and were targeting maritime navigation. The missiles ultimately fell into the sea, according to the ministry.
The Ministry of Defence said it remained prepared to respond to threats and would counter attempts to undermine the UAE’s security or the safety of maritime navigation in the region.
The ministry said its measures were aimed at protecting the country’s sovereignty, security and stability, as well as its national interests, assets and resources.
Meanwhile, Iran has reportedly presented the United States with a list of demands linked to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf delivered the demands to the United States, CNN reported.
Ghalibaf also called on Washington to fully implement the terms of an “Islamabad memorandum of understanding,” whose validity expired the previous day.
Under the memorandum, the United States and Iran had agreed to halt military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. Iran had also agreed to give up its right to acquire or develop nuclear weapons.
The memorandum further included an agreement for the United States to end its naval blockade of Iran, while Iran would keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
It also envisaged the lifting of US economic sanctions on Iran, the launch of a reconstruction programme and the restoration of Iran’s frozen funds.
