Iran described the presence of Egyptian fighter jets in the UAE on Monday as a “foreign forces presence,” deeming it destabilizing to regional security and stability.
This marked the first official Iranian comment on the matter, RT reported.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said at a weekly press conference: “Our relationship with Egypt is based on mutual respect, and any intervention that could harm the region’s security is unacceptable from our perspective, regardless of who is behind it.”
“Security based on the presence of foreign forces in the region will only exacerbate insecurity.”
Baghaei’s remarks came days after the UAE Ministry of Defense announced that UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had conducted an inspection visit of the Egyptian fighter jets detachment stationed in the UAE.
This marks the first time the deployment of Egyptian Rafale fighter jets to the UAE has been officially announced, as part of efforts to bolster joint defense capabilities.
This military move comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and the Gulf states, following Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting sites in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.
Egypt and the UAE enjoy close strategic security relations, encompassing joint exercises, exchange of expertise, and cooperation in countering regional threats.
Egypt also boasts a modern fleet of French Rafale fighter jets and is considered a major air force in the region.
