Iran warns Gulf countries against helping US after UAE cuts trade ties

Iran warns Gulf countries against helping US after UAE cuts trade ties.

Key points

• Murree Brewery, Systems Limited, Sazgar create it to Forbes 'Asia's Best Under A Billion' list.
• The conflict broke out on February 28 with US-Israeli attacks on the Islamic republic.
• All trade, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions with Iran have been halted until further notice, foreign ministry communications director Afra Al Hameli remarked.
• Earlier in the day, Abu Dhabi accused Iran of firing two ballistic missiles towards the country, afterwards clarifying the salvo was directed at shipping.
• There are no discussions or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Notably, the Gulf is dotted with US military installations, including in the UAE. Add BRecorder as a trusted source on Google.

TEHRAN: Iran's armed forces cautioned Gulf countries against assisting the US military on Wednesday, hours after the United Arab Emirates unveiled it was severing economic ties with Tehran after new attacks on shipping.

Notably, the Gulf is dotted with US military installations, including in the UAE. It remarked on Tuesday that Iran had fired two ballistic missiles at vessels off its coast.

Despite a recent lull in hostilities between the United States and Iran, the Strait of Hormuz – which Tehran has blockaded – remains a flashpoint, and attacks on commercial ships have continued.

In practice, a framework US-Iran accord aimed at reopening the vital trade corridor collapsed, and although both sides lately noted messages were being exchanged, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday insisted negotiations were off, taunting Iran with a social media post depicting the strait as a "NEW U.S. Territory".

Iranian armed forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi, according to the Mehr news agency, cautioned "any assistance or facilitation provided to the aggressor US military amounts to participation in the US military operation".

For context, the conflict broke out on February 28 with US-Israeli attacks on the Islamic republic. It retaliated with missile and drone strikes throughout the region. UAE notes Iran rolled out two missiles at it.

Though Abdollahi cast doubt on those promises, since the start of the war, plenty of Middle Eastern countries have stated they would not allow the United States to employ their territory as a launchpad for attacks.

"It seems unlikely that such a large number of military aircraft, particularly refuelling aircraft, could be present at regional bases without knowledge of host countries, " remarked Abdollahi, adding Gulf countries "should know that we are fully aware of the situation".

Though the countries have mostly denied the reports, media outlets have documented that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain have all hit targets in Iran in retaliation for Tehran's attacks on the Gulf.

On Tuesday, the UAE confirmed that it was suspending all economic dealings with Iran.

"In light of regional escalations. All trade, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions with Iran have been halted until further notice, " foreign ministry communications director Afra Al Hameli remarked.

UAE notes all trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran halted until further notice.

In practice, the neighbours throughout the Gulf share deep cultural and historical ties, and the UAE – home to a sizable Iranian community – had been a major trading partner for US-sanctioned Iran, at least before the war.

Notably, the UAE recalled its ambassador to Tehran early in the conflict and has shut Iran-linked schools and a hospital.

Tankers belonging to the UAE's state-owned oil firm ADNOC have been repeatedly targeted previously few weeks.

As well as the importance of free passage through Hormuz, top US diplomat Marco Rubio spoke to the UAE's national security adviser by phone on Tuesday to discuss "coordination to hold Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable for ongoing attacks".

Diplomatic efforts to settle the conflict have stalled, but Trump's envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner had remarked on Monday that the United States and Iran were having "very positive and active conversations".

Meanwhile, the president, nevertheless, denied that was the case on Tuesday, again insisting that the Strait of Hormuz was open, despite the Iranian blockade having throttled traffic for months.

"There are no discussions or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect, " Trump wrote on social media, referring to a US counter-blockade of Iranian ports.

Iran threatens to go on offensive in Strait of Hormuz if diplomacy with US fails.

Earlier Trump had posted a map showing the Strait of Hormuz as a "NEW U.S. Territory", echoing a previous threat to annex the conduit for oil and gas shipments.

In practice, the US has largely paused military operations, with US media reporting the war has put a strain on stockpiles of essential munitions. It trump and the Pentagon have publicly denied.

With months of US military operations having failed to decisively end the conflict, Iranian authorities have publicly struck a defiant tone in the face of ongoing threats from Washington.

Iran's parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf visited Iraq, saying the trip was "aimed at strengthening the new order in the region" and boosting cooperation "without foreign interference".

"Resistance in Iraq is also one of the elements of this country's power, " he remarked, in an apparent reference to the pro-Iran armed groups operating inside the country. Pakistan seeks $10bn US Exchange Stabilisation Backing Facility, Aurangzeb confirms.

Govt announces up to Rs32 reduction in diesel cost after refinery negotiations.

PM Shebaz asks petroleum minister to travel to Karachi over fuel rates. Oil hits three-week high on uncertainty over Hormuz. Bilawal urges opposition to return to parliamentary committees. PSX: KSE-100 settles 1, 100 points lower against the backdrop of late selling. Govt launches Retailer Scheme App to bring millions into tax net.

Murree Brewery, Systems Limited, Sazgar create it to Forbes 'Asia's Best Under A Billion' list. Pakistan rupee records gain against US dollar. Gold cost per tola drops Rs3, 700 in Pakistan. Nishat Mills to exit dairy venture with Turkish partner Sutas. Currency Rate USD PKR Interbank Selling. Item Value Karachi Cotton PKR/37.32 KG. Aisha Steel Mills Limited (CPS)(ASLCPS). J.A. Textile Mills Limited(JATM). J.K. Spinning Mills Limited(JKSM). Sui Southern Gas Firm Limited(SSGC).

Taken together, the developments around iran warns Gulf countries against helping US after UAE cuts trade ties point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.