Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei speaks during an interview, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, April 5, 2026. (Credit: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/ REUTERS)
Iran's foreign ministry on Tuesday condemned arrests in the United Arab Emirates of what Abu Dhabi said were members of an Iran-linked group plotting terrorist acts in the country.
In a statement, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the arrests were made under "baseless pretexts" and urged the UAE "to respect the rights and human dignity of individuals, refrain from retaliatory behavior."
On Monday, UAE authorities said the group arrested was attempting to recruit Emiratis and funneling funds to "suspicious" foreign entities.
Relations between Iran and the UAE have been badly strained since the outbreak between Iran, the United States and Israel on Feb. 28.
Iran accuses Gulf states of allowing U.S. forces to carry out attacks from their territory, and launched missile and drone strikes against what it calls U.S. interests in those countries throughout the war.
Gulf states have repeatedly denied those accusations, saying even before the conflict that they would not allow their territory or airspace to be used to attack Iran.
They have since clamped down on what they say are cells linked to Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah.
