Saudi Arabia yesterday strongly criticised its Gulf Arab partner, the United Arab Emirates, saying the kingdom's bid for closer ties with Iran were not being made at the expense of regional allies.
"What is strange is that others look at the rapprochement between the kingdom and any Islamic country as being at others' expense. This is not true in any way," said Saudi Defence Minister, Prince Sultan.
The comments, carried by the official Saudi Press Agency, followed criticism by UAE Foreign Affairs Minister Rashid Abdullah al-Nuaimi on Saturday of some Gulf Arab states for trying to strengthen ties with Iran after years of tension.
The issue is a sensitive one for the UAE because it is in locked in a dispute with Iran over the islands of Abu Musa and the Lesser and Greater Tumbs, located near strategic shipping lanes at the mouth of the Gulf.
The UAE says the disputed islands, now controlled by Iran, were occupied by Iran's deposed shah in 1971.
Iran says the islands are part of its sovereign territory.
Observers say the UAE's public outrage appears to have been sparked by a landmark visit by Iran's moderate President Mohammad Khatami to Saudi Arabia last month.
Public comments by Crown Prince Abdullah in which he defended Iran's right to arm itself for self defence poured salt onto the wounds, they say.