The United Arab Emirates says its ambassador to Iran, Saif Mohammed Al Zaabi, will return to Tehran “in coming days” after downgrading ties with Tehran more than six years ago.
On Sunday, The UAE’s attempts to improve ties with Iran “to fulfil the mutual interests of the two countries and the wider region,” are in line with the statement made by the foreign ministry.
UAE cut off relations with Tehran in 2016 after Iranian protesters broke into Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic missions in Iran following Riyadh’s death of prominent Shia scholar Nimr al-Nimr.
The UAE official media said that the Emirati and Iranian foreign ministers spoke on the phone last week and discussed strengthening ties, including the possibility of sending an ambassador back to Tehran.
According to a report from the UAE’s state news agency WAM, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan spoke about measures to “boost bilateral relations and areas of collaboration for the benefit of both countries.”
UAE began re-engaging with Iran after years of hostility on opposing sides of geopolitical rivalry following strikes in Gulf waters and on Saudi oil sites in 2019.
Saudi Arabia also took steps last year to strengthen ties with Iran at a time when Gulf Arab states are closely monitoring efforts to restore Tehran’s 2015 nuclear agreement with international powers, which they view as defective for failing to address its missile program.
