Iranian commander says Israeli presence in UAE 'is a threat to us'

The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy has said that Israel's presence in the United Arab Emirates posed a threat to Tehran.

Last week, Israeli air strikes on Iran's consulate in Syria's capital killed seven IRGC officers including two senior commanders.

The UAE, situated across the Gulf from Iran, normalised ties with Israel in a US-brokered deal in 2020.

"We know that the Zionists were not brought to the UAE for economic purposes but rather for security and military work. This is a threat to us and should not happen," IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri said, according to Iran's Student News Agency.

Tangsiri said that the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman were no places for Israelis.

"We do not get hit without striking back, but we are also not hasty in our retaliation," Tangsiri said, referring to last week's attack on the consulate.