UAE can still export its oil, if Iran closes Hormuz

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be able to use ports on the Gulf of Oman for oil exports if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, transit point for about a fifth of the global oil supply, Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Chief of Dubai Police, said in an interview with Bahrain TV last night. (more…)

Hormuz bypass oil pipeline delayed amid Iran tensions, report

A pipeline that would allow oil from the United Arab Emirates to bypass the Strait of Hormuz separating it from Iran has been delayed because of construction difficulties, two people with knowledge of the matter said. (more…)

U.S. in $3.5 billion arms sale to UAE amid Iran tensions

The United States has signed a $3.5 billion sale of an advanced antimissile interception system to the United Arab Emirates, part of an accelerating military buildup of its friends and allies near Iran.

The deal, signed on December 25 and announced on Friday night by the U.S. Defense Department, “is an important step in improving the region’s security through a regional missile defense architecture,” (more…)

Assad supporters attack UAE embassy, witnesses

Supporters of President Bashar al-Assad threw stones and debris on Wednesday at the embassy of the United Arab Emirates and smeared its walls with graffiti, witnesses said, hours after an Arab League decision to suspend Syria took effect. (more…)

UAE fires coach after defeat by Lebanon

Srecko Katanec has been sacked as UAE coach just hours after his side crashed to a humiliating 3-1 defeat by Lebanon in their Group B World Cup qualifying match in Beirut.

The Slovenian tactician had already been under enormous pressure following his side’s shock 3-2 defeat at home to Kuwait last weekend set against the backdrop of rumoured dressing room unrest. (more…)

Top Iranian military officer: Gulf ‘belongs to Iran’

A top Iranian military officer on Saturday denounced what he called an “Arab dictatorial front” and claimed that the “Persian Gulf has belonged to Iran for ever”, media reports said. (more…)

UAE detains 5 activists who oppose government

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have arrested a prominent human rights activist and four others on accusations that include opposing the government, the state-run WAM news agency reported Monday. (more…)

GCC ministers urged UN to end Iranian ‘interference’

Gulf Arab states have accused Iran of interfering in their regional affairs with the alleged aim of “sowing discord and destruction.” (more…)

Libyan rebels ‘hijack mobile network’

Libyan rebels have access to a mobile phone network for the first time in a month after a secret operation to hijack equipment formerly controlled by the Gaddafi family. (more…)

Libyan FM defects

Britain’s foreign ministry has said that Moussa Koussa, Libya’s foreign minister, has arrived in the UK and is resigning from his post. (more…)