World · Middle East · 3 hrs ago
UAE hopes for US-Iran diplomacy but prepares for renewed conflict
The UAE hopes US-Iran talks can produce a diplomatic breakthrough but says it is preparing for the worst.
The negotiations come amid threats of renewed fighting in the US-Israel war on Iran.
Iranian officials have been speaking with Qatari and Pakistani mediators about a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days and restart peace talks.
Iran says that would depend on Washington meeting demands, including lifting sanctions and reducing its military presence in the region.
The Strait is a key global energy route, and its reopening matters amid a serious global energy crisis.
US and Iranian officials have signalled they are open to diplomacy while also warning of possible escalation.
Mediators are still consulting, but no timetable for an agreement is confirmed.
The UAE hopes negotiations between Iran and the United States will produce a diplomatic breakthrough, but says it is prepared for renewed conflict.
UAE presidential diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash said the region has no interest in another round of war.
Iranian and Qatari officials have discussed a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days and restart peace talks, subject to Tehran’s demands.
US officials say talks are ongoing, while President Donald Trump said negotiations were going fine and the United States still had Iranian targets to address.
Officials from both sides have signalled readiness for renewed military escalation.
- Who
- The UAE, Iran and the United States are involved in the diplomatic efforts. Qatari and Pakistani officials are mediating.
- What
- Iran and the United States are pursuing negotiations amid threats of renewed conflict; the UAE says it hopes for diplomacy but is prepared for the worst.
- When
- Sunday, November 1, 2026. Iranian officials said the latest Doha discussions took place on Saturday.
- Where
- The latest discussions were held in Doha, Qatar. Gargash spoke at a conference in Manama, Bahrain.
- Why
- The talks aim to find a diplomatic path out of the US-Israel war on Iran and address Iran’s conditions, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran
United States
Conditions for talks
Iran
Iran says restarting peace talks depends on Washington meeting its demands, including lifting sanctions and reducing its military presence in the region.
United States
The United States has not confirmed that it will accept Iran’s conditions.
Diplomacy and military threats
Iran
Iranian officials say they are open to dialogue, but warn of a military response to any future attack.
United States
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is open to a diplomatic solution, while Trump said the US still had Iranian targets to address.
Doha and Islamabad played key roles in the signing of a memorandum of understanding that collapsed in August.
US Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei seeking to gauge prospects for restarting negotiations.
An Iranian delegation travelled to Doha to meet Qatari mediators, according to Iran’s foreign minister.
Anwar Gargash said the UAE hoped for a diplomatic breakthrough but was braced for the worst.
- UAE official
- Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president
- Latest talks
- Doha, Qatar
- Proposed Hormuz plan
- Reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days
- Iranian demands
- Include lifting recently imposed US sanctions and reducing the US military presence in the region
- Mediators
- Qatar and Pakistan
3 sources
What people are saying
We’re hoping that there is a diplomatic breakthrough
It is not the interest of the region to go through another round … But I think we’re also, as we’ve shown before, braced for the worst.
If there is a diplomatic solution, we would be open to it.
The American side’s attempt to open the door to dialogue and understanding more broadly is a positive step.