The story on our front page yesterday tells a wider tale. In Bahrain, the security forces uncovered a 54-member militant group suspected of involvement in a number of attacks, as well as a cache of weapons. The group had ties to Iran.
On the other side of the Arabian Peninsula, the US has intercepted shipments of weapons – such as sniper rifles and anti-tank missiles – bound for the Houthi rebels. GPS data showed unquestionably that their origin was Iran.
The interference of Iran in the Arab region remains undimmed. Iran has extensively interfered in at least five countries in the Arab world: in Iraq, the country supports the Shia-led Popular Mobilisation Forces; in Bahrain, it sponsors terror cells; in Syria, the group has sent fighters and advisers to prop up the regime of Bashar Al Assad; in Lebanon, it supports Hizbollah; and in Yemen, most egregiously, it has given money and weapons to the rebel Houthis, who have dragged Yemen into a long and brutal war. The hand of Iran can be detected in all these conflicts, and in none of them is the influence positive.
All of this comes, of course, at the same time as Iran boasts of its weapons prowess. Days ago, having finally acquired the sophisticated Russian S-300 air defence system, Iranian state TV showed successful tests. Iran, despite signing up to a nuclear deal that was meant to bring the country back into the fold of the international community, has no intention of dialling back its martial posturing.
For the Gulf states, this is neither acceptable nor will be allowed to go unanswered. Other Gulf countries can speak for themselves, but the UAE will not stand idly by while Iran stretches its hands into the affairs of our region and our neighbours. Already, the UAE has taken a key role in the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. On the battlefield, as in the field of diplomacy, the UAE has demonstrated that it can and will protect and defend its interests and has the military ability to do so.
Last weekend on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, the country staged a spectacular display of military might, the first such public display. While this was mainly a celebration of the Armed Forces, Tehran would be advised to pay close attention: the UAE will not wait to be defended by the United States or any other ally. It has the ability and the will to defend itself. Peace is always in the interests of our region. But we are prepared for alternatives.
