UAE has ordered closure of Iranian-state linked hospital in Dubai — sources

The United Arab Emirates has ordered the closure of an Iranian state-linked hospital in Dubai, three employees at the facility tell AFP, as ties between the two neighbors deteriorate amid Tehran’s aerial campaign against Gulf states.

Since the United States and Israel began striking Iran on February 28, Tehran has launched waves of missiles and drones at Gulf states, with more than 2,000 attacks on the UAE alone.

The strikes have strained ties between the countries, prompting Abu Dhabi to recall its ambassador to Iran and close its diplomatic mission.

Iran-linked entities, including schools, have been shut despite longstanding economic and community links.

“The government asked all of us to leave,” an employee at the hospital tells AFP, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

“The hospital management told us it was because of Iran’s attacks on the UAE,” he adds.

The Iranian hospital, which employs more than 700 people, is run by the Iranian Red Crescent Society. It is one of the oldest healthcare facilities in the UAE.

A UAE official tells AFP “certain institutions directly linked to the Iranian regime and IRGC will be closed under targeted measures” after being found to violate UAE laws.

“These measures are administrative in nature and will be implemented in an orderly manner to ensure continuity of essential services,” they add.