UAE To Send Delegation To Iran Soon, Says Senior Official

A senior Emirati official said on Tuesday the United Arab Emirates would soon send a delegation to Iran as part of efforts to improve ties with rival Tehran.

"The sooner the better," Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, told reporters when asked when a UAE delegation would hold talks in Tehran.

Asked whether the UAE was coordinating with Saudi Arabia on its moves on Iran, he said they were keeping its regional allies "in the picture"

"There is a recognition by the Iranians to rebuild bridges with the Gulf. We are picking that up positively," he said, adding that Abu Dhabi still shared concerns about Iran's regional activities.

The government of President Ebrahim Raisi has been emphasizing the need to improve relations with regional countries and held meetings with Saudi Arabia in April, but so far there has been breakthrough.

As the future of nuclear talks with Iran remain uncertain, the UAE might be hedging its bets to ensure its own security, being in the proximity of Iran. If talks succeed, Iran will get a financial windfall and come out of isolation somewhat. If the talks fail, tensions will spike in the region.

After the hasty US withdrawal from Afghanistan, there are also doubts about Washington's commitment to the region.

With reporting by Reuters