‎‎Iran’s Foreign Ministry has denounced the arrest of several individuals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on “groundless pretexts,” stating that anti-Iranian narratives cannot deflect from the responsibility of those supporting US-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic. 

‎Abu Dhabi said on Monday that authorities had arrested members of what it described as an Iran-linked group plotting “terrorist acts” in the UAE. It claimed the individuals were attempting to recruit Emiratis and funnel funds to “suspicious” foreign entities.

‎Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, dismissed the allegation in a statement on Tuesday, saying the arrests were made based on “baseless and unfounded pretexts.”

‎He added that raising such allegations and engaging in anti-Iranian narratives would not absolve supporters of the “aggressors” from their direct responsibility for military actions against Iran.

‎Baghaei urged the kingdom “to respect the rights and human dignity of individuals, refrain from retaliatory behavior, and return to the principles of good neighborliness.”

‎Last month, the UAE said it had arrested at least five members of what it alleged was a “terrorist network” linked to Iran and the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah.

‎The arrests come amid a significant escalation in regional tensions following the US-Israeli military aggression against Iran that started on February 28.

‎Tehran has demanded compensation from five Arab nations—Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan--for committing internationally wrongful acts by allowing their territories to be used by the US and Israel, and in some cases directly participating in unlawful armed attacks against Iran.

‎Iranian authorities have constantly maintained that any country facilitating aggression against Iran will be held directly responsible.

‎Iranian officials have also documented instances of harassment against Iranian nationals in the UAE, including reports of property seizures.