US Welcomes Iran-UAE Engagement

A senior US diplomat said Washington welcomes engagement between Iran and the United Arab Emirates to defuse regional tensions. 
“If we can de-escalate tensions across the region, bring the region back from what several years ago looked like it could have the potential to veer into conflict, we believe that’s a good thing even as we continue to use the full array of tools in our toolkits to pressure … [Iran] in furtherance of limiting and putting those verifiable and permanent limits back on its nuclear program,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Monday in reference to a visit by a top UAE security official to Tehran, according to the website of the State Department. 
The UAE national security adviser met his Iranian counterpart and President Ebrahim Raeisi in a rare visit to Iran on Monday, a move aimed at overcoming differences and increasing cooperation.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit took place days after Tehran and world powers broke off talks in Vienna as western officials voiced dismay about Iran’s sweeping demands for salvaging the 2015 nuclear pact, which the United States abandoned three years ago, reimposing harsh sanctions on Tehran.

“Improving ties with regional countries is my government’s priority, therefore we welcome improving ties with the UAE,” Raeisi told Sheikh Tahnoon, according to President.ir.
“The security of regional countries is intertwined, and Iran supports the security of the Persian Gulf states.”
With business ties to Iran stretching back over a century, the emirate of Dubai, 150 km across the Persian Gulf, has long been one of Iran’s main links to the outside world.
But they have been on different sides of geopolitical rivalries in the Middle East including Yemen’s war. The UAE is part of the Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen’s ousted government against Iran-aligned Houthi fighters.

Turning Point 

Sheikh Tahnoon, a brother of the UAE’s de facto ruler, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, expressed hope that the visit would be a “turning point” in Iranian-UAE relations. IRNA said Raeisi received an official invitation to visit the UAE.
Sheikh Tahnoon had earlier discussed expanding bilateral relations and regional issues with Iran’s top security official Ali Shamkhani.
“Stability and security can only be established through continuous dialogue and cooperation between the regional countries,” Shamkhani said.
“Improving economic, trade and investment ties are the main priorities of Iran’s foreign policy.”
Shamkhani added that joint efforts were needed to “end some of the military and security crises in the region... Dialogue should replace military approaches to resolve disputes.”
Taking a hawkish stance on Iran, the UAE swiftly backed the decision in 2018 of then-US President Donald Trump to ditch world powers’ nuclear deal with Iran. But in 2019, the UAE began engaging with Tehran following attacks on tankers off Persian Gulf waters and on Saudi energy infrastructure.
Regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia also began direct talks with Iran in April, with Riyadh describing the talks as “cordial” but largely exploratory.
“Developing warm and brotherly relations between Abu Dhabi and Tehran is one of the UAE’s priorities,” Sheikh Tahnoon said during his meeting with Shamkhani.
Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, said in a tweet on Monday that Sheikh Tahnoon’s visit to Tehran “comes as a continuation of the UAE’s efforts to strengthen bridges of communication and cooperation in the region which would serve the national interest.”