Pezeshkian, UAE Lash Out at Iran as Regional Tensions Explode
The UAE has condemned Iran's "moral bankruptcy" following a drone strike on a Fujairah fuel site, as a massive rift emerges between the IRGC and President Pezeshkian, who reportedly labeled the attack "total madness."
Fury is mounting in the United Arab Emirates today following an Iranian attack that targeted civilian and industrial infrastructure. Anwar Gargash, senior advisor to the UAE President, issued a scathing statement on X (formerly Twitter), describing the strike as a turning point in regional relations.
"Iran’s dangerous escalation and the targeting of civilians is the moral bankruptcy of a regime that has chosen aggression as its approach to dealing with its neighbors," Gargash wrote. He thanked the international community and fellow Arab nations for their solidarity, stating that the global condemnation confirms Iran is "responsible for worsening the crisis in the Arabian Gulf."
Tehran’s Internal Rift
The strikes have exposed a massive divide within the Iranian regime. While the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) carried out the attack, opposition sources report that President Masoud Pezeshkian was blindsided.
Pezeshkian reportedly described the IRGC's decision to launch missiles without government coordination as "total madness" and "irresponsible." The President has allegedly requested an urgent meeting with Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei in a desperate bid to halt further attacks and prevent a slide into total war.
In contrast, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, maintained a defiant stance. He claimed a "new equation" has been established in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that maritime security and oil exports are now at risk due to U.S. ceasefire violations. "We are well aware that the U.S. cannot tolerate the current situation," Qalibaf stated, adding ominously, "and we haven't even started yet."
The "Project Freedom" Spark
The escalation follows a U.S. military claim that merchant ships successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz yesterday under the protection of American destroyers. This operation is part of "Project Freedom," an initiative declared by President Donald Trump to rescue ships stuck in the strait.
The IRGC denied the American claim, insisting no ships had passed, and responded hours later with the strike on the UAE. One drone reportedly hit a fuel industry site in Fujairah, causing significant damage.
Trump: Iran Will Be "Wiped Off the Earth"
The U.S. response has been swift and severe. Speaking to Fox News following the escalation, President Donald Trump issued a stark ultimatum, stating that Iran would be "wiped off the face of the earth" if it targeted American vessels.