Iran: rapprochement with the Emirates and strong criticism against Paris

Emirati National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed and Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran.

Here in Tehran on December 6, 2021. Atta KENARE AFP

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2 min

Iran accuses France of participating in the “destabilization” of the Middle East by selling weapons there.

An official reaction from Tehran when a very large arms sales contract has been concluded in recent days between France and the United Arab Emirates.

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" 

 " and the weapons that France sells to the Arab Gulf countries " 

 ".

Bitter remarks, made this Monday, December 6 by the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The criticism follows Emmanuel Macron's visit in recent days to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

These three Arab monarchies in the Gulf, neighboring Iran, are also three allies of France and three major clients of its defense industry.

The French president returned to Paris with

 : the sale of 80 French Rafale planes to the United Arab Emirates, for 14 billion euros.

The total is around 17 billion euros, if we add the other contracts for the sale of arms.

Open a new page between the two countries

While denouncing these French arms exports to its Gulf rivals, Iran is sketching a rapprochement with the United Arab Emirates, whose National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun ben Zayed paid a remarkable visit to Tehran on Monday.

This is the first visit of its kind since 2016.

This visit is an opportunity for an Iranian official to wish to open " 

 " in the relationship between the two countries.

A sizeable challenge since the United Arab Emirates maintain their proximity to the West and even

last year with

, the archenemy of the Islamic Republic.

A strategic positioning which does not prevent this Gulf monarchy from breaking taboos: the United Arab Emirates have indeed restored their relations with the Syria of Bashar al-Assad, supported by Iran.

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• Iran

• United Arab Emirates

• France