Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Saturday, Jun 21, 2025

Iran Resumes Diplomatic Relations with UAE and Kuwait, Talks Continue with Saudi Arabia

Iran Resumes Diplomatic Relations with UAE and Kuwait, Talks Continue with Saudi Arabia

Amid positive signals surrounding nuclear talks among Iran and Western nations, both the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have quietly restored diplomatic ties with Tehran. Iran's Foreign Ministry indicated Monday that talks with Saudi Arabia over resuming ties are also going in a positive direction.
Eyes are focused on the bigger prize of a diplomatic rapprochement between Tehran and its long-time nemesis, Riyadh. Ties between Iran and both the UAE and Saudi Arabia were cut in 2016 following the execution of Saudi Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani told journalists Monday that the positive regional climate is bolstering optimism over the possible resumption of diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia. Both Iraq and Oman have helped broker unofficial talks between Tehran and Riyadh.

Kanani says that Iran has made efforts to improve ties with Saudi Arabia and has seen reciprocal steps from the Saudi side. We are optimistic, he says, that the positive regional atmosphere is fostering the path of communication and dialogue, and ultimately, better relations.

Kanani went on to say that serious differences and thorny issues still divide Tehran and Riyadh but that "positive steps have been taken" on the negotiating track.

Khattar Abou Diab, who teaches political science at the University of Paris, tells VOA that the nuclear talks in Vienna have created a positive regional atmosphere that is contributing to improved relations between Iran and former adversaries Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

He says the Saudi-Iran talks in Baghdad and improving ties between Turkey and Saudi Arabia have created the impression of a calming of tensions in the region and a logic of discussing differences rather than pursuing a path of conflict.

Abou Diab argues that "despite several attacks by Iran's Houthi allies on the UAE, trade ties between the Emirates and Iran were never broken, and a good neighbor policy still prevails."

Washington-based Gulf analyst Theodore Karasik tells VOA that both the "restoration of diplomatic ties between the UAE and Iran is important in the current changing strategic environment."

He noted that "more interaction with Tehran by the Emirates is seen as a necessity because of geography and economic recovery from the pandemic and other issues. Both sides will still disagree on policy objectives, but at the same time, they need the formality (of relations) to cooperate, negotiate and argue over theaters where their interests overlap, besides the Gulf."

Paul Sullivan, a Middle East analyst at the Atlantic Council, tells VOA that trade between Iran and the UAE was "at its height in 2017 ... dropping to a trickle after the countries severed relations." He notes that there "may be 500 to 600 thousand Iranians in Dubai."

He adds that "GCC-Iran tensions, the war in Yemen and Iran's support of Hezbollah and other terror groups in the region have caused serious consternation in the UAE."

"The fact that the UAE is sending an ambassador to Iran," he argues, "does not mean that all is well. More likely," he argues, "it means that greater understanding is needed to develop future relations. U.S. sanctions still apply to Iranians in the UAE and to financial and other arrangements between the UAE and Iran," he notes.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Black Box Recovered from Air India Crash Site
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Global News Roundup: From Ukraine's strategic military strikes and Russia's demands and Tensions Escalate in Ukraine, to serious legal issues faced by Britons in Bali and Trump's media criticism, the latest developments highlight a turbulent landscape
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
×