Updated · Middle East Council on Global Affairs · May 4
Mansour bin Zayed calls Iran parliamentary leader after ceasefire
Updated
Updated · Middle East Council on Global Affairs · May 4
Mansour bin Zayed calls Iran parliamentary leader after ceasefire
10 articles · Updated · Middle East Council on Global Affairs · May 4
The April 8 call came after the UAE, a main target of Iranian missile and drone attacks, downgraded ties and expelled Iranian diplomats during the war.
It signals early Gulf re-engagement with Tehran despite deep mistrust, as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman also maintain senior-level contacts to help de-escalate tensions.
GCC states are reassessing defence and diplomacy after attacks on energy and trade infrastructure, while Strait of Hormuz disruptions and continued regional tensions threaten stability and the global economy.
Can diplomacy succeed when Gulf states are simultaneously spending billions to rearm against Iran?
As Gulf nations diversify arms suppliers, will new partners replace the US as their primary security guarantor?
With the Strait of Hormuz now a warzone, is the Gulf's oil-based economic model permanently broken?
Navigating Conflict: UAE’s Strategic Engagement with Iran During the 2026 US-Iran Ceasefire
Overview
In early 2026, a US-Israeli strike killed Iran's Supreme Leader, triggering Iranian missile and drone attacks on the UAE. This escalated tensions, leading the UAE to condemn Iran and seek stronger ties with the US, including a currency swap and exiting OPEC to boost energy flexibility. Amid a fragile US-Iran ceasefire brokered by Pakistan and China, the UAE and Iran held a rare April 15 phone call to explore de-escalation, driven by the critical risk to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil route. However, ongoing conflicts, especially Israel's operations in Lebanon excluded from the ceasefire, and divergent Gulf state responses, continue to threaten regional stability and the durability of diplomatic efforts.