Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Iran and UAE Leaders Meet Amid War Tensions at BRICS
Iran’s president met the crown prince of the United Arab Emirates in New Delhi.
They met during the BRICS Summit hosted by India.
Their meeting happened while the United States and Iran were fighting in a wider West Asia conflict.
Iran and the UAE had difficult relations because of the war and its regional effects.
The leaders talked about lowering tensions and supporting peace and stability.
The meeting did not end the larger conflict, but it showed that the two sides were willing to talk.
India worked to help countries with different interests reach agreement at the summit.
BRICS members also approved a statement calling for ceasefires and humanitarian help in Gaza.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in New Delhi.
The Saturday, September 12, meeting took place on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit hosted by India.
The leaders discussed regional and international issues, de-escalation, stability, peace, and development, according to officials and people familiar with the meeting.
The encounter came as the US-Iran war strained Iran’s relations with the UAE, which suspended trade and financial exchanges with Iran in August.
BRICS members adopted the New Delhi Declaration, condemning unilateral aggression and calling for ceasefires and unhindered humanitarian access in Gaza.
- Who
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
- What
- They held talks on regional and international issues, emphasizing de-escalation, stability, peace, and development.
- When
- Saturday, September 12, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The meeting took place amid the US-Iran war, strained Iran-UAE relations, and wider tensions in West Asia.
Iran’s Position
Regional Concerns
Sources of regional tension
Iran’s Position
Pezeshkian later said Iran had no issue with the UAE but opposed US bases in the region being used to attack Iran.
Regional Concerns
The conflict strained Iran’s relationship with Abu Dhabi, and the UAE suspended trade and financial exchanges with Iran in August after missile and drone attacks.
Meaning of the meeting
Iran’s Position
The encounter provided Iran with an opportunity to press for opposition to unilateral sanctions and attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities.
Regional Concerns
The meeting was viewed as an important diplomatic opening, but there was no indication that it would resolve the broader war or the governments’ deeper divisions.
- Participants
- Masoud Pezeshkian and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
- Event
- 18th BRICS Summit
- Location
- New Delhi, India
- Meeting date
- Saturday, September 12
- Main topics
- Regional and international issues, de-escalation, stability, peace, and development
- BRICS declaration
- The New Delhi Declaration condemned unilateral aggression and called for ceasefires and full, unhindered humanitarian access in Gaza
- Iranian position
- Pezeshkian urged BRICS to oppose unilateral sanctions and attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities
- India’s role
- India promoted dialogue, de-escalation, negotiated peace, freedom of navigation, uninterrupted commerce, and maritime safety
