Emirates and Iran bring closer together

The United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Iran are moving closer together despite the differences that have existed between the two countries over the years. Proof of this is the visit of Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan to Iranian territory to discuss various issues related to the ties between the two nations and current affairs in the Middle East. 

Visits of this kind are rare, which is why this high-level contact between the UAE and Iran has attracted so much attention. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan met with Iran's top security official, Ali Shamkhani, and President Ebrahim Raisi to discuss a number of important issues. This is historic, given the clashes between the two countries over various issues, such as the war in Yemen, where the Houthi rebels, representatives of the Shiite branch of Islam and supported by Iran, are trying to undermine the legally established Yemeni government and are confronting the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia, the main standard-bearer of the rival Sunni branch of Islam, a coalition of which the Emirati nation is a member. 

The Emirati security adviser's visit comes at a tumultuous time also because of international talks on the nuclear pact with the Islamic Republic. These talks are not being positive due to Iran's high demands and requests to save the agreement regarding its atomic programme, which is seen by various countries and international analysts as a danger that could even lead to the configuration of atomic weapons. The latest talks in Vienna were interrupted by the conditions demanded by the Ayatollahs' regime, and recently there has been criticism from the United States and Israel denouncing the lack of understanding and even the danger that Iran could develop nuclear weapons instead of an atomic programme for civilian and peaceful purposes. Indeed, the United States has already abandoned the 2015 nuclear pact due to Iran's non-compliance with aspects of it and imposed harsh economic and political sanctions that are affecting the Persian country. 

After the meeting in the Iranian country, the protagonists made statements highlighting this progress in bilateral relations. "Improving ties with the countries of the region is the priority of my government, so we welcome improving ties with the United Arab Emirates," Ebrahim Raisi told Tahnoon bin Zayed, according to Iranian state television. "The security of the countries of the region is intertwined and Iran supports the security of the Persian Gulf states," he added in remarks reported by Reuters. 

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, brother of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, said he hoped the meeting would mark a "turning point" in relations between Iran and the UAE, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA. According to IRNA, President Ebrahim Raisi was also invited to visit the UAE in the near future. 
 

In addition, Tahnoon bin Zayed also discussed the expansion of bilateral relations and addressed regional issues with Iran's top security official Ali Shamkhani.

Shamkhani stressed that Iran's foreign policy seeks to "enhance economic, trade and investment ties"; something that can be enhanced by this rapprochement with the Gulf state. 

Shamkhani added that a concerted effort is needed to "put an end to some of the military and security crises in the region". "Dialogue must replace military approaches to resolving disputes," he said. 

"Developing warm and fraternal relations between Abu Dhabi and Tehran is one of the UAE's priorities," Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed said during his meeting with Shamkhani, according to Iranian media and Reuters.