NEW YORK: The international deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program failed to change Tehran’s behavior, the UAE said on Saturday.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly debate in New York, foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed said those behind the deal should have consulted countries in the region which fully understood.

The “agreement could not achieve the expected change in Iran’s behavior or compel Iran to abide by international law and good neighborliness.

“The nuclear agreement should have taken in to consideration the views of the countries of this vital region who fully understand its history.”

Sheikh Abdullah said the agreement should have included other aspects of Iran's activities, including its interference in other countries, its developmemt of ballistic missiles and its provision of arms to terrorist groups.

Speaking just before the UAE, Bahrain’s foreign minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed accused Iran of decades of terrorism in the region.

He said that in Yemen, where Iran supports the Houthi militia fighting the Arab coalition, Tehran’s interference was the main threat to the country’s stability.

“We shall persevere in our efforts to save Yemen and restore its security and stability,” Sheikh Khalid said in his address.

“We urge all Yemen national parties to unify their efforts with those of their legitimate government and to confront the illegitimate Houthi militia supported by Iran.”

Many Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, have used the General Assembly to highlight what they describe as the ongoing destabilizing activities of Iran.

Tensions have increased throughout the year and peaked when drones and cruise missiles hit two of Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities this month. Iran has been widely blamed for being behind the attack. 

The US pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal last year and reimposed crippling economic sanctions on Iran.

Tehran has been accused of responding by lashing out with attacks on shipping in the Gulf region.