UAE

DUBAI, Jan 29 (Reuters) - A loud explosion struck a military industry factory near the central Iranian city of Isfahan overnight in what Tehran said on Sunday was a drone strike by unidentified attackers.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, which came amid tension with the West over Tehran's nuclear activity and supply of arms for Russia's war in Ukraine, as well as months of anti-government demonstrations at home.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Bomb-carrying drones targeted an Iranian defense factory in the central city of Isfahan overnight, authorities said early Sunday, causing some damage at the plant amid heightened regional and international tensions engulfing the Islamic Republic.

The Iranian Defense Ministry offered no information on who it suspected carried out the attack, which came as a refinery fire separately broke out in the country’s northwest and a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck nearby, killing three people.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A man armed with a Kalashnikov-style rifle stormed the Azerbaijan Embassy in Iran’s capital Friday, killing the head of security at the diplomatic post and wounding two guards, authorities said.

Tehran’s police chief, Gen. Hossein Rahimi, blamed the attack on “personal and family problems,” according to Iranian state television. However, the assault comes as tensions have been high for months between neighboring Azerbaijan and Iran.

22 Jan 2023; MEMO: The emirate of Dubai is planning to build the world's first 3D-printed mosque which will be ready by early 2025. According to a report by The National last week, Dubai's Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) announced that construction of the 2,000 square metre mosque in Bur Dubai will start in October and once completed, the mosque will accommodate 600 worshippers. Bur Dubai is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the UAE.

DUBAI, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Iran's troubled currency fell to a record low against the U.S. dollar on Saturday amid the country's increasing isolation and possible Europe Union sanctions against Tehran's Revolutionary Guards or some of its members.

Ties between the EU and Tehran have deteriorated in recent months as efforts to revive nuclear talks have stalled. Iran has detained several European nationals and the bloc has become increasingly critical of the violent treatment of protesters and the use of executions.

20 Jan 2023; MEMO: US Vice President, Kamala Harris, affirmed, on Wednesday, her country's commitment to preserving the United Arab Emirates (UAE) security.

This came during a phone call with UAE President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during which the two sides discussed regional issues, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

16 Jan 2023; MEMO: Intelligence sources reported that a preliminary ruling in a financial fraud case has exacerbated the dilemma of the UAE Deputy Prime Minister, Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose commercial empire has been dismantled for nearly 3 years.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. climate envoy John Kerry backs the United Arab Emirates’ decision to appoint the CEO of a state-run oil company to preside over the upcoming U.N. climate negotiations in Dubai, citing his work on renewable energy projects.

In an interview Sunday with The Associated Press, the former U.S. secretary of state acknowledged that the Emirates and other countries relying on fossil fuels to fund their state coffers face finding “some balance” ahead.

16 Jan 2023; MEMO: Human rights groups have accused the militia of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) of the forced disappearance of revolutionary movement leader Asaad Abdullah Jaafar Sakina in Aden. He has been held for three weeks amid fears for his deteriorating health condition.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol received an honor guard welcome Sunday on a trip to the United Arab Emirates as he hopes to expand its military sales here.