UAE warns military options fail to resolve Iran crisis as talks stall in Qatar
Gulf leaders urge diplomatic breakthroughs at the Manama Dialogue while acknowledging wide gaps in U.S. and Iranian positions.
By Takeshi Faure ·
The United Arab Emirates stated on Sunday that military solutions will not provide a quick exit from the ongoing crisis with Iran, urging regional partners to prioritize diplomatic tools. Anwar Gargash, the UAE presidential adviser, made the remarks at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, where leaders assessed the risk of renewed conflict.
Gargash described the current situation as requiring substantial wisdom and political maneuvering. He argued that military actions would complicate an already difficult regional scene without offering a rapid resolution. The UAE hopes that mediations led by Qatar will produce a breakthrough to prevent a new round of confrontation between the United States and Iran.
The conflict began on Feb. 28 with joint strikes by the U.S. and Israel. Iran subsequently launched attacks on Gulf nations, marking a pivotal period for regional stability. Gargash called the past year a watershed moment for the region and the world. He stated that the region and Iran do not benefit from enduring another cycle of war.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reported that Iranian negotiators are currently in Qatar. They are discussing a proposal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi said no direct talks are occurring with the U.S. He noted that the final outcome depends on Washington’s answers to specific questions posed by Tehran. In an interview on Telegram, Araghchi said Iran hoped the U.S. would choose diplomacy over other paths, while remaining ready for both defense and diplomacy depending on U.S. rationality.
Gargash acknowledged that logical analysis shows the U.S. and Iranian stances are far apart. He warned that if these positions are not bridged, the region must worry about the worst-case scenarios. Other Gulf and Arab officials echoed this sentiment. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told the gathering earlier that a second round of escalation would be more dangerous and destructive, leading nowhere.
The UAE faced the largest number of airborne attacks during the conflict. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Iran launched more than 3,000 drone and ballistic missile attacks at UAE airports, military sites, and oil facilities before an April ceasefire. Most of these attacks were intercepted. Gulf nations have since spent billions of dollars to enhance their defense capabilities.
Gargash stated that the war has solidified U.S.-UAE relations, making them central to the UAE’s defensive abilities. Bahraini Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani said his country welcomes efforts to reduce tensions and create dialogue opportunities. He described a pattern of Iranian attacks targeting sea, air, and data facilities, including recent threats to underwater data cables last month. He characterized Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as part of this continued pattern.
At the height of the war, Iran fired 500 drones and nearly 200 ballistic missiles toward Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet. These attacks struck the naval base, residential buildings, the financial district, and a water desalination plant. This summer, Houthi rebels escalated attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure and airports, disrupting air traffic and hitting critical pipelines in response to Saudi airstrikes on Sanaa airport.
A lack of coordinated defense among the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council was a prevailing issue at the forum. During the conflict, Gulf states responded at the national level, working with U.S. command centers. The IISS noted this approach sometimes hindered the overall defensive effort. Gargash offered candid criticism of this lack of unity.
Gargash stated that the Gulf states have not collectively risen to the challenge during this critical crisis. He noted that while individual states and some bilateral cooperations have functioned, the collective response has fallen short. The three-day security forum in Manama concluded with leaders braced for the possibility of further escalation despite diplomatic efforts.
