DUBAI (Syed Mudassir Khushnood) – A key diplomatic engagement between the United Arab Emirates and Iran has come to light, highlighting continued efforts by both sides to maintain open channels of communication amid a sensitive regional climate.
UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, this week, during which the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and the overall security situation in the region. The details of the call were later released by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the state news agency WAM on Thursday.
According to the official statement, the exchange focused on strengthening diplomatic engagement between Abu Dhabi and Tehran while reviewing developments affecting stability across the Middle East. The ministry said the call formed part of broader efforts to ensure that communication remains active between the two countries, particularly at a time when regional dynamics continue to draw close international attention.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs also made it clear that no reference to military action, war or any form of escalation was included in the discussion. The statement underlined that the conversation remained strictly within the framework of diplomacy, dialogue and the promotion of calm in the wider Gulf and Middle East region.
Diplomatic sources described the call as a confidence-building engagement, aimed at preventing misunderstandings and keeping political dialogue alive between two key regional players. With tensions and shifting alliances shaping the Middle East, such exchanges are viewed as an important mechanism for reducing the risk of miscalculation and ensuring that issues are addressed through communication rather than confrontation.
WAM reported that both ministers exchanged views on how best to support regional stability and encourage a constructive atmosphere for cooperation. The UAE has consistently emphasised the role of dialogue and diplomacy as tools to resolve disputes and manage differences, particularly in a region where geopolitical developments can quickly impact energy markets, shipping routes and international security.
The phone call also reflects the UAE’s broader diplomatic approach of maintaining relations with all regional stakeholders, including those with whom differences may exist. By keeping diplomatic channels open, Abu Dhabi seeks to promote predictability and reduce the likelihood of sudden crises that could affect the Gulf and neighbouring regions.
Iran, for its part, has also shown interest in sustaining engagement with Gulf states as part of its regional outreach. The discussion between Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Abbas Araghchi is seen as part of this continuing exchange, which allows both sides to convey their positions directly at senior level.
The Middle East remains a focal point of global political and economic interest, with developments in one part of the region often carrying wider implications. Against this backdrop, the January 13 call represents a measured diplomatic step designed to keep dialogue active and maintain a degree of stability through communication.