Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that Iran and the United Arab Emirates agreed to strengthen bilateral relations and broaden economic and political cooperation during a high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Speaking to reporters following discussions with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Pezeshkian emphasized that both nations sought a shared understanding to put past grievances behind them and focus on constructive future collaboration. He noted that Iran considers the United Arab Emirates and neighboring Gulf states to be regional partners, emphasizing that Tehran's grievances stem from the presence and actions of foreign military forces in the area rather than disputes with its regional neighbors.
Diplomatic De-Escalation and Strategic Context
The meeting represents the highest-level diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Abu Dhabi since the outbreak of broader regional hostilities involving the United States and Israel. Throughout recent months, the conflict has resulted in widespread strikes on Iranian infrastructure as well as retaliatory strikes against military installations in the region.
During their discussions, Pezeshkian and Sheikh Khaled focused on regional security frameworks, emphasizing the mutual necessity of de-escalating military tensions to protect critical maritime routes, sustain energy exports, and maintain commercial trade stability across the Persian Gulf. Both nations backed the adoption of the summit's joint declaration, which called for maximum restraint, respect for national sovereignty, and the protection of international trade and infrastructure.
