Iran Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held a phone call with Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
According to the statement issued by the Iranian foreign ministry, the two top diplomats discussed bilateral and regional issues, including the ongoing war in Yemen.
The conversation matters for being the first contact between the two countries following recent missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthis towards the UAE.
During the talks, the Iranian foreign minister reportedly stated that the relations between the two countries are proceeding in a positive direction, adding that officials from both sides “have held good meetings and consultations.”
Touching on the war in Yemen, Amir-Abdollahian said, “We believe that continuation of war and spread of clashes and conflicts are not in the interests of any party and of the region.”
The Iranian FM also criticized “the presence of Israel in the region as a threat to all countries and the entire region,” referring to the normalization agreement between Israel and some Gulf countries, including the UAE.
Speaking on his part, the Emirati top diplomat reiterated his country’s keenness to improve ties with Iran, emphasizing the need for the continuation of consultations between the two states on several issues.
On Yemen, Abdullah bin Zayed stated that “the UAE encourages all Yemeni parties to reach a political solution with the support of the United Nations (UN).”
The two countries have been experiencing a thaw in relations in recent times. In November 2021, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri issued a statement following his visit to Abu Dhabi, stating that “the two countries reached an agreement to open a new page in relations.”
In December 2021, UAE National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan paid an official visit to Tehran.
