Iranian expert: We are ready to occupy the coasts of Bahrain and the UAE

Iranian national security analyst Morteza Simiari warned in an interview on state television that Tehran is ready to take over the coasts of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) if the US “makes any mistake” in the region, the Middle East Eye website reported on Wednesday.

In an interview with state broadcaster IRIB, Simiari said Iran's armed forces were prepared to seize the coasts of the Emirates and Bahrain and “fundamentally change the balance of power in the region.”

“Entering the coast of the UAE and Bahrain is in the plans,” Simiari warned.

Iran responded to the U.S.-Israeli bombing that began on February 28 with retaliatory missile and drone strikes, mainly targeting U.S. military bases and oil and gas infrastructure in neighboring Gulf states.

The United Arab Emirates alone has intercepted 358 ballistic missiles and 1,815 drones since the beginning of the war.

Although Saudi Arabia and the UAE initially lobbied US President Donald Trump against attacking Iran, they are now starting to support the war effort – reported last week, among others. Reuters, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

Authorities in Riyadh recently allowed US forces to use King Fahd Air Base in the western part of the country. The UAE also allegedly told the US that it was prepared for a long-term conflict and was not putting pressure on Washington to end it. (PAP)

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