Hamid Reza Haji Babaei, deputy parliament speaker of Iran, accused the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain of acting as regional contractors for the Israeli regime on 18 October 2026. The remarks, reported by PressTV, characterize the foreign policy positions of Abu Dhabi and Manama as extensions of Israeli security objectives within the Middle East. Iranian officials have frequently criticized the diplomatic normalization between these nations and Israel, describing the pacts as detrimental to regional stability. By labeling the two Gulf states as contractors, the deputy parliament speaker suggests that their security and economic cooperation with Israel serves to advance interests hostile to the government in Tehran. These comments reflect ongoing diplomatic friction regarding the presence of external military influence near the Strait of Hormuz.
Houthi Attack in Saudi Arabia
A Houthi projectile struck a residential area in Najran, Saudi Arabia, on 18 October 2026. The Saudi civil defense agency confirmed the impact, "resulting in six citizens being injured and material damage to three homes and three vehicles." Emergency teams reported that the incident left at least six people wounded while causing significant destruction to the targeted residential properties and private transport. Joshua Krasna, speaking on regional security shifts, noted that "No matter what the next government is, [Arab states expect] it’s not going to be an Oslo government." This assessment follows the latest cross-border projectile strike, which remains part of the ongoing conflict involving Houthi forces and their operations directed into Saudi territory.
UAE and Saudi Diplomatic Realignment
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, held discussions with the Saudi Arabia defense minister in Abu Dhabi regarding regional security. The meeting focused on the evolving security environment and the coordination of defense strategies between the two nations.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, traveled to Riyadh last month. This visit represented the first trip by a senior Emirati official to Saudi Arabia since the emergence of a diplomatic rift between the two countries last year. The engagement signaled a resumption of high-level dialogue intended to address outstanding bilateral disagreements.
An Arab diplomatic official stated, "The consequences of these elections for the region extend to as many fronts as Israel is involved in."
Iran maintains its intent to continue the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz. The government in Tehran stated that the objective of this action is to sever energy and commodity lifelines for the United States and Israel. This policy remains a central component of Iranian strategy regarding maritime transit in the vicinity of the waterway.