BRICS Summit Facilitates UAE-Iran Dialogue on Occupied Islands and Regional Stability
At the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for the first time, addressing rising tensions over the Iranian occupation of three islands and conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. Talks emphasized the need for peace amid flare-ups in regional disputes and Iranian assertions of sovereignty over the islands.
During the recent BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia, the leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran convened for a historic first meeting aimed at alleviating rising tensions regarding three strategically significant islands in the Persian Gulf. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MbZ) of the UAE met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who was elected in July, to discuss regional developments, including ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. The meeting comes against a backdrop of increasing friction surrounding the islands of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, which have been under Iranian control since their seizure in 1971, coinciding with the withdrawal of British forces from the region. The tension escalated further this week after a joint statement from the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) urged Iran to relinquish its claims to these islands, prompting Iranian media to assert Tehran’s sovereignty over them. While discussing the islands, Abbas Araghchi, an Iranian Foreign Minister, underscored Iran’s stance, stating, “We do not miss any opportunity to clarify and firmly defend the positions and interests of the Islamic Republic, especially regarding the three islands of the Persian Gulf.” The Iranian leadership maintains a long-standing position that the islands rightfully belong to Iran, indicating their unwillingness to negotiate on this matter. Additionally, the geopolitical landscape has been further complicated by the UAE’s normalization with Israel through the Abraham Accords, which has incited additional tensions, particularly with Iranian accusations of provocations relevant to the ongoing Israeli airstrikes targeted at Iranian interests. Meanwhile, the UAE has expressed its intention to potentially partake in international forces aimed at stabilizing Gaza post-conflict. In a call for unity, both leaders, during their discussions, emphasized the necessity of halting attacks on Gaza and Lebanon by Israeli forces, reflecting mutual concerns regarding regional stability. While the UAE’s official news agency confirmed the Sultan’s attendance at the BRICS summit, it did not highlight the critical discussions held with President Pezeshkian.
The BRICS summit serves as a pivotal platform for emerging economies to collaborate and address critical global issues. Recent escalations in the Middle East, particularly relating to the Palestinian conflict and Iranian territorial assertions over the three islands in the Arabian Gulf, have propelled discussions of inter-state relations between Iran and the UAE onto the international stage. The historical context of these islands, marking a longstanding point of contention, has been exacerbated by recent events and declarations, thereby necessitating dialogue aimed at de-escalation.
In summary, the meeting between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the BRICS Summit represents a significant step towards easing tensions over occupied islands and broader regional conflicts. Both leaders underscored the importance of dialogue in ensuring stability in the Middle East amidst ongoing geopolitical challenges, particularly those related to Israel and the security dynamics in Gaza and Lebanon.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
