UAE and Iran leaders meet at BRICS summit, first encounter since war

The United Arab Emirates has entered a new round of diplomatic talks with Iran after suspending all trade and financial transactions with Tehran in August. The suspension came in response to a series of Iranian attacks on Gulf states, which the UAE described as a breach of regional security. Officials said the current negotiations aim to address the fallout from those incidents and to explore conditions under which limited economic engagement might resume.

UAE leaders have repeatedly emphasized that rebuilding confidence with Iran will be “a mountain to climb,” underscoring the difficulty of restoring bilateral ties amid ongoing tensions. While the discussions remain confidential, both sides have indicated a willingness to keep channels open, signaling a cautious step toward de‑escalation while maintaining the UAE’s firm stance on security and accountability.