The Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid al-Maktoum (C) and his sons Sheikh Maktoum (L) and Sheikh Ahmed attend the opening session of the 10th edition of Dubai International Sports Conference in Dubai on December 27, 2015. AFP PHOTO / MARWAN NAAMANI

The United Arab Emirates said Monday it has recalled its ambassador from Iran and downgraded diplomatic relations with Tehran over its “meddling” in the affairs of Gulf and Arab countries.

The UAE had decided to lower “diplomatic representation to the level of charge d’affaires and reduce the number of Iranian diplomats in the country,” the foreign ministry said in a statement, quoted by the official WAM news agency.

The move came after Saudi Arabia and Bahrain severed links with the Islamic republic amid escalating tensions triggered by the execution of a Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia at the weekend.