UAE adviser says diplomacy needed as Iran talks resume in Qatar

UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash stated on Sunday that his country hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough to stop a new round of fighting between the U.S. and Iran. He spoke at the Manama Dialogue, an annual security summit held in Bahrain. Gargash argued that political tools are the primary solution and that military responses will only complicate the current situation without providing a fast exit.

The conflict began on Feb. 28 with joint strikes by the U.S. and Israel. Iran responded with attacks on Gulf nations. Gargash described the year as a watershed moment for the region. He noted that the U.S. and Iranian positions remain far apart. He warned that if these gaps are not bridged, the worst outcome must be considered.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiators are currently in Qatar. They are discussing a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz soon. Araghchi stated that no direct talks are happening with the U.S. He added that the final result depends on Washington's answers to specific questions from Tehran. In an interview on his Telegram channel, he said Iran hopes the U.S. chooses diplomacy over other paths.

Before the April ceasefire, the UAE faced the highest number of airborne attacks. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Iran launched more than 3,000 drones and ballistic missiles. These targeted airports, military sites, and oil facilities. Most of the attacks were intercepted. Gulf nations have since spent billions of dollars to strengthen their defense capabilities.

Bahraini Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani said his country welcomes efforts to reduce tensions. He accused Iran of following a pattern of attacks that threaten regional stability. He pointed to recent threats to underwater data cables and attacks by Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia. He said these actions show that while the actors may change, the approach remains the same.

At the height of the war, Iran fired 500 drones and nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Bahrain. The country hosts the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. The strikes hit the naval base, residential buildings, the financial district, and a water desalination plant. This summer, Houthi rebels escalated attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure and airports in response to Saudi airstrikes on Sanaa airport.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty warned that a second round of escalation would be more destructive. Gargash agreed that the region is not interested in another war. However, he admitted that the Gulf states have not collectively risen to the challenge. He said nations have worked independently or bilaterally, but a unified response was lacking during this critical crisis.