Mohsen Rezaei, who heads Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, publicly denounced the recent visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the United Arab Emirates. The criticism was posted on the social media platform X on Wednesday, where Rezaei warned that the Emirati decision to host the Israeli leader would not bring the desired outcomes.
In his message, Rezaei drew a parallel with the presence of United States military installations in the Gulf, stating: "Just as hosting US military bases has not brought you security, hosting the 'Butcher of Gaza' will also not have favourable consequences." The phrase "Butcher of Gaza" was used to refer to Netanyahu, reflecting the Iranian official’s harsh assessment of the Israeli leader’s role in the conflict.
The UAE visit occurred a month ahead of Israel’s scheduled parliamentary elections, a period marked by heightened political tension. It also followed allegations that the United Arab Emirates’ president, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, had warned Netanyahu prior to the October 7 attacks launched by Hamas, a claim that has fueled debate over the extent of coordination between the two governments.
Rezaei’s remarks underscore Tehran’s broader strategy of opposing normalization efforts between Israel and Gulf states. By linking the UAE’s diplomatic overture to past security arrangements with the United States, the Iranian official suggested that such engagements could undermine regional stability rather than enhance it.
The report of Rezaei’s statements was published by Middle East Eye, which noted the timing of the criticism amid the upcoming Israeli elections and the ongoing controversy surrounding the UAE’s role in the regional diplomatic landscape.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/iran-official-criticises-uae-welcoming-butcher-gaza-netanyahu-country.