Former Iranian Envoy Claims Israel Seeks to Drag UAE into Yemen Conflict

Israel is reportedly more determined than the United States to draw the United Arab Emirates back into direct military confrontation in Yemen, according to Iran's former ambassador to Sanaa. The assessment follows Western media reports detailing diplomatic maneuvers aimed at countering Ansar Allah's naval campaign in the Red Sea. Regional analysts highlight that these strategic maneuvers align closely with broader regional defense frameworks.

Addressing recent reports from The Guardian regarding clandestine U.S. pressure on Saudi Arabia and the UAE to settle differences and form a unified military command against the Houthis, the diplomat downplayed internal Gulf frictions. He asserted that Washington's regional calculations prioritize Israeli hegemony in West Asia above local reconciliation efforts. "What matters to the U.S. in the region is not regional differences or forming coalitions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, but supporting Israel and preserving its hegemony in West Asia," the diplomat stated.

The diplomatic tensions stem from escalating maritime operations conducted by Yemeni forces targeting Israeli-linked vessels in international trade corridors. Washington has spearheaded Operation Prosperity Guardian and launched retaliatory airstrikes, yet regional partners remain cautious about renewed direct confrontation with Ansar Allah. Saudi Arabia, actively negotiating a bilateral truce with Sanaa, has avoided actions that might reignite the protracted cross-border war that began in 2015.

Looking ahead, attempts to orchestrate a unified military command between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi against Yemen face substantial operational and diplomatic friction. Observers note that while Israel and the United States aim to deter Houthi operations through an expanded coalition, Gulf capitals remain acutely aware of the potential vulnerabilities their critical infrastructure faces should major hostilities resume in southern Arabia.