UAE Adviser Warns Military Options Fail to Solve U.S.-Iran Standoff
Gulf leaders gather in Bahrain as Qatar mediates a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid fears of renewed conflict.
By Luka Evans ·
The United Arab Emirates stated on Sunday that military force will not provide a rapid exit from the ongoing crisis between the United States and Iran. Anwar Gargash, a presidential adviser to the UAE, argued that diplomatic tools are the primary method for resolving the conflict. He made these remarks at the Manama Dialogue, a three-day security forum held in Bahrain. The event brought together defense officials and experts from across the region and the world.
The current war began on February 28 with joint strikes by the United States and Israel. Iran responded with attacks on Gulf nations. Gargash described the conflict as a watershed year for the region. He said the UAE does not want to see another round of confrontation. The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, confirmed that negotiators are currently in Qatar. They are discussing a proposal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz soon.
Araghchi stated that Iran is ready for both defense and diplomacy. He said the final outcome depends on Washington's answers to specific questions from Tehran. In an interview shared on Telegram, he expressed hope that the United States would choose diplomacy over other paths. He noted that no direct talks are currently being held between the two countries.
Gargash acknowledged that the stances of the United States and Iran are far apart. He warned that if these positions are not bridged, the region must worry about the worst. He said it is not in the interest of the region or Iran to withstand another round of war. Egypt's Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, agreed with this sentiment. He told the gathering that a second round of escalation would be more dangerous and destructive.
The UAE faced the largest number of airborne attacks from Iran before a ceasefire was reached in April. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Iran launched more than 3,000 drone and ballistic missile attacks. These targeted airports, military bases, and oil facilities. Most of the attacks were intercepted. Since the conflict began, Gulf nations have spent billions of dollars to boost their defense capabilities.
Bahraini Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani said his country welcomes every effort to reduce tensions. He accused Iran of a continued pattern of attacks on sea, air, and data facilities. He noted that Iran threatened underwater data cables as recently as last month. He also cited attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia as part of this pattern. During the height of the war, Iran fired 500 drones and nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Bahrain. The attacks hit the naval base, residential buildings, and a water desalination plant.
Gargash criticized the lack of a coordinated defense response among the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council. He said the Gulf states did not collectively rise to the challenge during the crisis. Each state worked independently with U.S. command and control centers. He noted that this approach sometimes hindered the overall defensive effort. He added that the war has solidified U.S.-UAE relations, making them central to the UAE's ability to defend itself.
