First face-to-face meeting between UAE and Iran since the war began

In the war that began with attacks by the US and Israel on Iran, a surprise diplomatic contact has occurred between two regional actors that have long had serious tensions between them.

US media reported that high-level national security officials from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran have met face-to-face for the first time since the war began.

Sources familiar with the matter, speaking to the New York-based Bloomberg channel, stated that the meeting signals a significant shift toward de-escalating tensions in relations between the two countries.

The sources did not share details regarding the content of the meeting.

The report noted that the Abu Dhabi administration, which had adopted a tougher stance following weeks of Iranian drone and missile attacks and was suggested to have moved closer to Israel—including through coordinated attacks on Iran and military intelligence sharing—may be signaling a change in its approach to the Iran war.