Armenian expert: Iran sees signals of potential UAE-linked threat to Gulf islands

Iran likely believes it has received indications that attacks on its Persian Gulf islands could be staged from the United Arab Emirates, Iran expert Vardan Voskanyan said, citing Iranian media reports and a recent military warning.

His comments follow a statement by Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the country’s integrated air defence command, which signaled heightened alert over possible threats in the Gulf.

Tensions between Iran and the UAE have risen periodically amid the broader regional confrontation, particularly after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the UAE of allowing its territory to be used in a U.S. strike on Iran’s Kharg Island, a vital oil export hub.

In a social media post on Saturday, Voskanyan noted that international media have for some time speculated about the possibility of U.S. ground operations targeting Iranian islands, a scenario that could significantly intensify the conflict.

Separately, Khatam al-Anbiya spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaqari warned that any new attack on Iranian islands launched from UAE territory would prompt an immediate military response.

He said that if strikes were carried out against Abu Musa and Greater Tunb Islands, Iranian forces would retaliate by targeting Ras al-Khaimah.