Israel’s National Security Agency has advised tourists against travelling to the United Arab Emirates and other countries across the region, citing the threat of attack by arch-enemy Iran.
The warning included both Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE as well as Bahrain. Both Gulf Arab countries established diplomatic ties with Israel last year under historic U.S.-brokered agreements.
The agency’s anti-terrorism office said in a statement they estimate that Iran would continue to operate in the near future to harm Israeli targets.
The agency also identified Georgia, Azerbaijan, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, the Kurdish region of Iraq, as well as Turkey, Jordan and Egypt as areas to avoid.
After launching formal ties with Israel last year, the UAE became a popular destination for Israeli tourists, even after a similar travel advisory was issued.
Israel considers Iran as its top threat, citing the country’s suspect nuclear program, its frequent calls for the destruction of Israel, its support for anti-Israel militant groups and its development of long-range missiles.
Iran has accused Israel of killing a top nuclear scientist last November and vowed revenge. But Israel has accused Iran of being behind an attack last month on an Israeli-owned cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman.
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