Abu Dhabi/Tashkent, March 4, 2026 – The presidents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uzbekistan held a telephone conversation on Wednesday, jointly stressing the urgent need to stop all actions that endanger peace and stability in the Middle East. The discussion, amid the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran and Tehran's retaliatory strikes, highlighted deep concern over the rapid escalation of regional conflicts during the holy month of Ramadan.
According to a statement released by the Uzbek presidency, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed grave alarm at the deteriorating situation in the Middle East. “It was emphasized that such events, occurring during the holy month of Ramadan, are contrary to international law. The need for an immediate cessation of any actions that pose a threat to peace and stability was stressed,” the statement read.
The call underscored the shared view that continued military actions risk further destabilizing an already volatile region. Both leaders condemned developments that have led to significant civilian and military casualties, disrupted international air and maritime routes, and threatened global energy security.
President Mirziyoyev conveyed Uzbekistan’s solidarity and full support to the UAE leadership and people, describing the Emirates as a “strategic partner and close friend” of Uzbekistan. He specifically thanked the UAE for its practical assistance in ensuring the safety and repatriation of Uzbek citizens currently in the Emirates amid the crisis. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed expressed appreciation for Uzbekistan’s solidarity and support during this challenging period.
The conversation reflects the broader diplomatic efforts by Gulf states and Central Asian nations to advocate for de-escalation as the conflict enters its sixth day. The UAE, which hosts major US military facilities including Al Dhafra Air Base and Jebel Ali port facilities used by American naval assets, has faced direct threats from Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting US-linked sites across the Gulf. Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have all reported impacts from Iranian retaliatory barrages, prompting emergency security protocols, airspace restrictions, and diplomatic protests.
The US-Israeli operation, launched on February 28, 2026, has targeted Iranian military installations, missile production sites, nuclear-related facilities, and leadership targets. Iranian authorities report over 860 deaths, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—whose killing was confirmed on Sunday—and numerous senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders, scientists, and civilians. Tehran has responded with sustained waves of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones aimed at Israeli military bases, airfields, and intelligence centers, as well as US military installations in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
The strikes have caused verified casualties among US personnel, including six service members killed and others wounded in an attack on a tactical operations center in Kuwait, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). The conflict has also severely disrupted global energy markets: Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to most commercial traffic through threats and military presence, QatarEnergy has declared force majeure on LNG exports following damage to key facilities, and Brent crude prices have surged to around $82 per barrel from February levels near $66.
The UAE-Uzbekistan call adds to a growing chorus of international voices urging restraint. Similar statements have come from Belarus, Russia, China, and several non-aligned countries, all emphasizing the need for dialogue and an end to hostilities. Gulf states, while condemning Iranian attacks on their territory, have expressed concern over the broader economic and security fallout, including threats to oil and gas exports critical to global supply chains.
The timing of the leaders’ emphasis on halting threatening actions during Ramadan carries particular symbolic weight. The holy month, a period of fasting, reflection, and heightened spiritual observance for Muslims worldwide, has seen intensified fighting across the region, including in Lebanon where Hezbollah has launched drone and missile attacks on Israeli targets in response to Israeli airstrikes and the wider crisis.
Uzbekistan, which maintains balanced relations with both Iran and Gulf states, has positioned itself as a proponent of peaceful resolution in international forums. The UAE, a key economic and diplomatic player in the Gulf, has sought to protect its sovereignty and economic interests while advocating for de-escalation to prevent further spillover.
As the conflict continues—with reports of fresh strikes on both sides and no immediate breakthrough in back-channel diplomacy—the UAE-Uzbekistan conversation highlights the urgent diplomatic push to contain the crisis before it spirals into a full-scale regional war involving additional actors.
The leaders’ joint call for an immediate cessation of threatening actions underscores the growing international consensus that sustained military escalation serves no party’s long-term interests and risks catastrophic humanitarian, economic, and security consequences.
