Official Clarification: Anwar Gargash Rejects Residency Cancellation and Iran Aid Rumors
While asserting that the rumours being spread are ‘untrue’, the top diplomat also highlighted that the UAE believes the best way to deal with such claims is through tangible achievements
A top UAE official on Wednesday rejected multiple false claims in “desperate media campaigns” that he said were targeting the UAE.
Dr Anwar Gargash, the adviser to the UAE President, in a statement, denied the “cancellation of labour residencies” and the “provision of financial facilities to Iran”.
The diplomat said that some platforms “are circulating false information about the country” at a time when the nation is focusing its efforts “on addressing regional developments and preparing for the post-phase period”.
While asserting that the rumours being spread are “untrue”, Dr Gargash also highlighted that the UAE believes the best way to deal with such claims is through showing tangible achievements.
Facts and concrete achievements remain stronger than rumours, and work remains stronger than noise.
Dr Anwar Gargash, Adviser To Uae President
This follows a late-night statement from a top UAE official who rejected all allegations regarding the status of the economic relationship between UAE and Iran.
The Director of the Strategic Communications Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE, Afra Al Hameli, also announced that all trade, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions with Iran have been “halted until further notice”, in light of the escalating regional conflict.
Her statement came just a few hours after UAE air defence forces dealt with two incoming ballistic missiles from Iran on Tuesday, August 18. Residents received an emergency alert on their phones for the first time in 37 days, with the advisory being lifted in just a few minutes.
Both missiles fell into the sea — one inside the nation’s waters and the other, outside. The Ministry of Defence later confirmed that the attacks were targeting maritime navigation.
Mounting tensions in the region
After the regional war broke out on February 28, the UAE bore the brunt of Iran’s attacks, with nearly 3,000 missiles and drones directed at the country — more than anywhere else in the region.
After the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding came into effect — which expired on August 17, 60 days after it was signed — the UAE faced no attacks unlike other Gulf states such as Kuwait and Bahrain.
Diplomatic efforts to settle the conflict have stalled, with US President Trump denying that any talks were ongoing between both nations and insisting that the Strait of Hormuz was open, despite the Iranian blockade having throttled traffic for months.
Vessels transiting the region have seen fresh attacks in recent days, with UAE-linked energy interests coming under renewed pressure. Adnoc tanker vessels were targeted for a third time in less than a week on August 14, the UAE-based energy giant confirmed.
Since the war began, 18 Adnoc vessels have been attacked, the company said in a statement, adding the strikes had resulted in one crew member being killed and 20 others injured.
Source: Khaleejtimes
