Israel is reportedly in talks with a host of Arab countries over deepening their alliances amid the war with Iran.
IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir has spent the last 24 hours in conversations with his counterparts across the Gulf, per Ynet.
These are said to have included Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The talks come as the Iran War enters its third day, with retaliatory strikes from the Islamic Republic hitting civilian infrastructure across the region, including Saudi Arabia’s largest oil refinery and the world-famous Palm Jumeirah hotel in Dubai.
In the UAE, residential areas, airports, and ports have also been hit.
Iran has insisted that it is targeting US military bases in the region, but the strikes have been met with a furious reaction from several Arab governments.
The UAE has now announced it will be closing its embassy in Tehran and bringing home its ambassador as well as all diplomatic staff.
The Emirati Foreign Ministry said: “The decision reflects the state’s firm and unwavering position rejecting any aggression that threatens its security and sovereignty.”
Saudi Arabia meanwhile, has said it was able to repel Iranian attacks on its capital, Riyadh, and that it reserves the right to respond.
"In light of this unjustified aggression, the Kingdom affirms that it will take all necessary measures to defend its security and protect its territory, citizens, and residents, including with the option of responding to the aggression,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Dr Yoel Guzansky, a senior fellow and head of the Gulf Programme at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, told Ynet that he believes the closure of the embassy will spark other countries to follow suit.
He also spoke of the possibility of the UAE striking Iran, adding: “The UAE has military capabilities on paper, but it is not certain it would want to strike Iran because the response would be far harsher. The balance of forces is not equal.”
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