The UAE devotes its dependence on Washington in light of the tensions with Iran
In a move that aims at devoting its dependence to the United States and in light of the regional tensions with Iran, the United Arab Emirates and the US announced the entry into force a joint defense cooperation agreement.
This came in a joint statement issued by the official UAE news agency (WAM) after meeting national security advisers of both countries.
The two countries announced the entry into force the agreement signed earlier this year, which will enhance military coordination between the two countries at this “critical time,” noting that it will provide further progress to the strong political and economic partnership that already binds them.
The UAE and the US share a deep interest in the need to promote prosperity and stability in the region. The Agreement will promote this interest by strengthening close cooperation on defense and security issues and supporting the efforts of the two countries to maintain security in the Gulf region.
Tensions between Iran and the United States rose after this month’s attack on oil tankers off Fujairah’s UAE coastline. Washington, a close ally of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, blamed Iran’s regional rivals for blaming Tehran for the attacks.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed discussed with US National Security Advisor John Bolton the relations of cooperation, coordination and joint action between the two countries in various aspects.
According to the UAE news agency “WAM,” the two sides discussed during the meeting a number of issues and files of common concern, in addition to developments in the situation in the region and its consequences.
The agency added that bin Zayed reviewed with Bolton the international efforts and joint coordination to confront extremism, violence, and terrorism, which is aimed at the capabilities, security and stability of the people.
Bolton said earlier that Iran may have been behind the explosion, which took several ships off the coast of Fujairah UAE, on May 12, and resulted in material damage, without the occurrence of oil spill.
This came despite the fact that the relevant teams are still investigating the incident to find out the details and to find out the causes of the accident and the parties behind it. The UAE announced that a number of friendly countries have joined the investigations.
Observers believe that Bolton’s disregard of the pledge to protect Washington’s allies in the region confirms that America did not do much when targeting tankers in Fujairah or when it hit Saudi Aramco pipelines. This means that it sees a distance between targeting its interests and the interests of its allies who turns its back to them and don’t consult them in their positions and statements.
Observers say the region has only two players: the US and Iran, the rest are followers. Bolton has become less hawkish discarding his country’s allies in the region. His failure to visit Saudi Arabia, although it was damaged by Iran’s “arms,” may be the reason Washington’s desire to avoid embarrassing Riyadh at a time when it will organize its Arab and Islamic summits.
Observers confirm that the position of the UAE to understand the position of Saudi Arabia on the war with Iran; Riyadh seems more aggressive to the war from Abu Dhabi.
