UAE urges US-Iran diplomacy while preparing for escalation, Gargash says

The United Arab Emirates is seeking a peaceful resolution between Washington and Tehran but remains prepared should tensions escalate into further violence, a senior Emirati official said on Sunday.

Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, addressed delegates at the IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, stressing that the Middle East cannot afford another cycle of fighting. While emphasizing that governments across the region are hoping for a diplomatic breakthrough, he noted that authorities remain braced for the worst-case scenario if talks fail to ease hostilities.

The comments come against a backdrop of ongoing friction between the United States and Iran, which has raised fears across the Gulf of renewed armed conflict. UAE foreign ministry officials have consistently pushed for dialogue, adherence to international norms, and restraint from all sides to prevent broader destabilization.

Other regional leaders attending the security summit echoed the call for political engagement while cautioning Tehran. Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi stated that while the six-nation bloc keeps open communication with Iran and desires negotiated outcomes, effective diplomacy requires a willing partner that reciprocates. He emphasized that Gulf states did not trigger the conflict but have sustained casualties and infrastructure damage from previous Iranian strikes.

Maritime stability emerged as another major topic at the gathering. Saudi Vice Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji warned that persistent threats to key waterways, including the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb strait, and the Strait of Hormuz, demand collaborative global action. He criticized Houthi attacks targeting commercial shipping and the kingdom, arguing such actions undermine diplomatic initiatives.

GCC leadership urged an end to maritime disruptions and called for navigation conditions in the Strait of Hormuz to return to normal, pointing to the vital role the channel plays in maintaining international energy supplies and commercial trade.