Dubai: The conflict between Iran and the United States, which began in late February, intensified by the end of March, according to reports. Iran is said to have struck US military bases in neighbouring countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as retaliation.
Pakistan reportedly played a mediating role between Iran and the US during the conflict. However, it did not condemn Iran’s missile and drone attacks on the UAE, a stance that has angered Emirati leaders, a report by The New York Times said.
The report also notes that sectarian dynamics have added to the strain. While Shia Muslims form a majority in Iran and Sunni Muslims are the majority in the UAE, Shia Muslims in Pakistan have been openly supporting Iran, it said.
Against this backdrop, the UAE has begun moving to deport Pakistani workers. The report claims that the UAE has been detaining Shia Pakistani residents without citing reasons, holding them for a few days and then deporting them, with around 15,000 workers listed for removal.
Separately, the report said the UAE last month recalled a loan of Rs 35,000 crore extended to Pakistan, an amount it described as roughly one-fifth of Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves.
