UAE and Iran Hold First Direct Security Talks Since February War

Senior security officials from the United Arab Emirates and Iran held their first face-to-face meetings on June 11 since the regional conflict began in February 2026. The talks signal a strategic pivot toward détente after a period of intense hostility. During the war, Iran launched nearly 3,000 missiles and drones at the UAE, killing 13 people and damaging energy facilities. In return, the UAE coordinated airstrikes with the U.S. and Israel, including an attack on a refinery on Lavan Island.

Abu Dhabi's shift toward diplomacy is driven by the economic damage caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the need to protect investments in oil production and artificial intelligence. UAE officials also acknowledged that the Iranian regime is unlikely to be overthrown through military means. Tehran views the UAE as a vital trading partner and a conduit for oil exports.

Despite these bilateral talks, regional volatility persists. On June 11, United States Central Command conducted strikes against Iranian targets, prompting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to launch retaliatory missile attacks on U.S. military bases in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain. In response, Egypt and Qatar urged a return to negotiations. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty coordinated with Pakistan to organize a quadrilateral meeting in Cairo involving Egypt, Pakistan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia to push for broader de-escalation.