Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Iran and UAE Seek Future Ties as Trump Stays Hands-Off
Iran and the United Arab Emirates said they want to improve their relationship.
Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said the two sides should stop focusing on past problems.
He made the comment in New Delhi after a BRICS meeting.
He had met Abu Dhabi’s crown prince the day before.
The meeting was described as a rare meeting between leaders from the two countries since the West Asia war began.
US President Donald Trump said Gulf countries could decide for themselves whether to meet Iran.
Pezeshkian also said he briefly spoke with the leaders of Russia and China.
He said those conversations suggested that more economic cooperation could happen.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran and the UAE agreed to put the past behind them and focus on the future.
Pezeshkian made the remarks in New Delhi on Sunday after the BRICS Summit 2026 concluded.
His statement followed a meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The meeting was described as a rare encounter between Iranian and UAE leaders since the West Asia war began.
US President Donald Trump said he does not care if Gulf nations meet Iran, saying the decision was up to them.
Pezeshkian also reported brief exchanges with the presidents of Russia and China and cited a promising outlook for expanded economic cooperation.
- Who
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the governments of Iran and the United Arab Emirates, and US President Donald Trump.
- What
- Iran and the UAE said they agreed to leave past problems behind and look toward the future; Trump said Gulf nations could decide whether to meet Iran.
- When
- Pezeshkian made the remarks on Sunday after the BRICS Summit 2026; his meeting with the crown prince took place the previous day.
- Where
- The remarks and Iran-UAE meeting took place in New Delhi, India, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.
- Why
- Pezeshkian said the two sides wanted to focus on the future, while Trump said meetings between Gulf nations and Iran were their own decision.
Regional Engagement
US Hands-Off Position
Iran-UAE dialogue
Regional Engagement
Iranian and UAE leaders agreed to put past issues behind them and focus on the future.
US Hands-Off Position
Donald Trump said Gulf nations could decide for themselves whether to meet Iran and that he did not care if they did.
Economic cooperation
Regional Engagement
Pezeshkian said brief exchanges with Russia’s and China’s presidents indicated a promising outlook for expanded economic cooperation.
US Hands-Off Position
The reports do not describe a specific US commitment to that proposed economic cooperation.
- Main development
- Iran and the UAE agreed to put the past behind them and look to the future.
- Iranian president
- Masoud Pezeshkian
- UAE official
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
- Location
- New Delhi, India
- Related event
- BRICS Summit 2026
- Trump’s position
- He said he does not care if Gulf nations meet Iran and that the decision is up to them.
- Economic outlook
- Pezeshkian described prospects for expanded economic cooperation with Russia and China as promising after brief exchanges.
