The United Arab Emirates rejected “attempts to justify Iranian terrorist attacks” on Friday after Tehran accused the wealthy Gulf state of playing an active role in the Middle East war.

Minister of State Khalifa bin Shaheen Al Marar “affirmed the UAE’s categorical rejection of Iranian claims and attempts to justify Iranian terrorist attacks targeting the UAE” and other nations, a foreign ministry statement said.

The statement followed Thursday’s BRICS meeting in New Delhi, during which Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a Telegram post: “The UAE is an active partner in this aggression, and there is no doubt about it.”

In a statement carried by the Iranian state news agency IRNA, Araghchi said he “advised the representative of the UAE that the Zionist regime (Israel) and the United States cannot guarantee their security” and that Abu Dhabi had “seen the consequences of the presence of American bases” on its soil.

The UAE has been “subjected to repeated and unjustified Iranian terrorist attacks”, including about 3,000 attacks by ballistic and cruise missiles and drones, its statement said.

“The UAE reserves all its sovereign, legal, diplomatic, and military rights to confront any threat, claim, or hostile act,” Marar was quoted as saying.

“The UAE does not seek protection from anyone and is capable of deterring aggression,” he added.

“It reserves its full and legitimate right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity to ensure the protection of its citizens, residents, and visitors.”