Gargash Outlines the Boundaries of Dialogue with Tehran

From the heart of the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi, the Diplomatic Advisor to the President, Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, sent political messages to Iran and the international community, outlining a vision for Gulf-Iranian relations at a time when the repercussions of military confrontation overlap with diplomatic efforts aimed at containing regional crises.

During the opening of the 13th Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate, Gargash emphasized that the geographical proximity between Iran and the Gulf states makes dialogue a necessary option. However, he noted that a return to the negotiating table cannot be based on ignoring past experiences or overlooking the security concerns generated by the war.

The Emirati official stated that restoring trust requires concrete steps from Tehran, based on respecting the sovereignty of states and refraining from interfering in their internal affairs, in addition to providing verifiable guarantees rather than relying solely on political pledges.

Gargash criticized the Iranian attacks that targeted Gulf states during the confrontation, describing the decision to attack neighbors as a strategic error that deepened the lack of trust. He also revealed that the UAE faced, according to the figures he announced, approximately 3,300 missiles and drones during the conflict, considering the crisis one of the most difficult tests the country has faced since its founding.

Regarding the issue of international navigation, he affirmed Abu Dhabi's rejection of any arrangements that would grant Iran the authority to control the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, given the economic and security importance of this maritime corridor for Gulf states and global markets.

These positions reflect an Emirati approach that combines readiness for dialogue with a firm stance on clear security guarantees, at a time when the prospects for a comprehensive settlement between Washington and Tehran remain fraught with political and strategic difficulties that may prolong regional instability.