Iran sent a direct threatening message to the United Arab Emirates (UAE)that it will attack the Gulf state in case the Islamic Republic came underUS attack from Emirati territory, the Middle East Eye (MEE) news websitehas reported.

The London-based portal said that Tehran threatened Abu Dhabi Crown PrinceMohammed bin Zayed that Iran will strike the Gulf state in case it isattacked by the US from the UAE.

“We will hold you responsible for the assassination of [top nuclearscientist Mohsen] Fakhrizadeh,” reads the Iranian message to bin Zayed.

Fakhrizadeh was assassinated in Tehran last week in an attack Iran hasblamed on its arch-enemy Israel.

According to MEE, Iran’s personal contact with bin Zayed came just hoursbefore the UAE issued a statement on Sunday condemning Fakhrizadeh’sassassination, which the foreign ministry warned could “further fuelconflict in the region”.

Israel, for its part, put its embassies and diplomats on high alert overfears of any Iranian retaliation to the killing of Fakhrizadeh.

Israeli media also reported that Israel’s security officials were worriedthat their nationals could be at risk of reprisals in the UAE.

The UAE and Israel established diplomatic relations under a US-sponsoredagreement signed in September to normalize their ties. – Anadolu Agency