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Notes -
The MOU was drafted on the 14th and signed on the 17th, but the Reuters article was published on the 12th and the $3bil was already transferred prior to the publication of the article. Reuters’ proof is four sources familiar with the matter, and it would be pretty weird for them to make up this story wholecloth. Also, since my last comment, another UAE ship was struck near the Omani coast, bringing the the count to four ships from the UAE struck this week.
Yes, the fact that the MOU was adapted on the 14th means that this was happening in the period of negotiations leading up to the MOU.
Furthermore, Iranian drones targeting UAE ships is evidence against UAE paying a massive bribe.
“Four sources familiar with the matter” is like a bad parody of a source, because it could mean anything. But if we want to take it seriously: the story still doesn’t prove anything close to what you are suggesting.
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