UAE Minister Says UAE-Israel Agreement a ‘Sovereign Decision’

UAE Minister Says UAE-Israel Agreement a ‘Sovereign Decision’
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash is seen during preparatory meeting for the GCC, Arab and Islamic summits in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on May 29, 2019. Waleed Ali/Reuters
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DUBAI—The United Arab Emirates’ agreement to normalize ties with Israel was a “sovereign decision” that was not directed at Iran, UAE minister of state for foreign affairs Anwar Gargash said on Monday.

The UAE on Sunday said it had summoned Iran’s charge d'affaires in Abu Dhabi and given him a “strongly worded memo” in response to a speech by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani that the foreign ministry described as “unacceptable.”