UAE diplomat holds talks in Tehran amid regional tensions

TEHRAN – UAE Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh met with senior Iranian officials in Tehran this week to discuss pressing developments impacting peace and security across the Middle East. This visit underscores the UAE's increasingly pivotal role as a key mediator and a proactive force for stability in a volatile region.

The discussions, held with counterparts in the Iranian capital, are understood to have covered a range of critical issues, including maritime security in the Gulf, the ongoing situation in Yemen, and the broader need for dialogue to resolve conflicts. 

This direct engagement follows a pattern of concerted diplomatic outreach by the UAE, which has consistently advocated for communication and de-escalation to build confidence and reduce the risk of miscalculation.

The UAE's commitment to fostering international dialogue was prominently showcased by its recent hosting of landmark trilateral talks involving high-level delegations from the United States, Russia, and Ukraine. 

The UAE has solidified its reputation as a trusted and indispensable partner in global diplomacy by providing a neutral and secure venue for these sensitive negotiations.

Analysts view Nusseibeh’s  visit to Tehran as a continuation of this strategic approach. By maintaining open channels of communication with all relevant parties, including Iran, the UAE is positioning itself as a central node in the region's diplomatic network. 

Nusseibeh and Majid Takht Ravanchi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, led the second session of political consultations between the two countries' Ministries of Foreign Affairs. 

“The two sides welcomed their consultations as an opportunity to address mutual concerns,” the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

"They discussed bilateral ties and practical ways to advance shared interests for the benefit of both nations and their peoples," said the statement. 

"They also reviewed a number of foreign policy files, including the latest developments in the region affecting peace and security, and ongoing efforts to address them," it added.

The consultations concluded with an agreement to "maintain regular co-ordination and activate joint technical committees to accelerate the implementation of existing agreements and explore new avenues for co-operation."

This strategy is built on the principle that direct talks are essential for managing differences and preventing the outbreak of wider conflict, a stance that has gained significant traction amid recent regional flashpoints.

The meeting between Nusseibeh and Iranian officials highlights a pragmatic and forward-looking foreign policy that prioritizes regional security and economic prosperity over confrontation. 

The high-level meetings in the Iranian capital come on the heels of crucial indirect talks between the United States and Iran held in Muscat, Oman. 

Those talks, mediated by Oman, were the first high-level diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran since a significant military escalation in June 2025. 

The UAE has publicly welcomed the dialogue between the US and Iran, emphasizing its steadfast commitment to resolving differences through diplomatic means. In a statement, the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised Oman's constructive role in hosting the talks and reiterated its belief that dialogue and de-escalation are the most effective framework for addressing the region's crises.