ISLAMABAD: Iran’s top security official held high-level talks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, just days after a surprising rapprochement between Tehran and Riyadh.
According to the official WAM news agency, Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, met with Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi to discuss bilateral relations “opportunities for enhancing cooperation. WAM also stated that he met with the UAE’s national security adviser, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and discussed various issues “Relations between two countries.
Meeting with UAE President
According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, during his meeting with the UAE’s president, Shamkhani stated that Iran and the UAE can take significant steps towards expanding bilateral ties and strengthening diplomacy. He stated that the formation of a stronger region is an attainable goal towards which we must all work.
His visit came after Iran and Saudi Arabia announced on Friday a deal brokered by China to end a seven-year break of diplomatic ties. Prior to the shocking announcement, Shamkhani had traveled to Beijing for intensive negotiations with his Saudi counterpart. According to IRNA, Shamkhani described his visit to the UAE as “a meaningful beginning for the two countries to enter a new stage of political, economic, and social cooperation.”
Shamkhani stated that we should strive to improve the security, peace, and well-being of the people in the region through dialogue and interaction while preventing foreigners from playing a negative role.
The UAE’s envoy to Tehran resumed his duties last year after a six-year absence, and Iran’s top diplomat, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, stated in September that Tehran wanted to expand relations with the UAE.
Shamkhani’s visit to the UAE is “significant in that it indicates continued efforts by the Gulf countries to improve relations with Iran,” according to Gregory Brew, Iran analyst at Eurasia Group.
According to AFP, the UAE is a major trading partner for Iran and has also become an important intermediary for Iran’s oil exports, and Shamkhani may be discussing possible measures to access Iranian assets frozen abroad through UAE mediation or diplomatic support.
