UAE Urges Diplomacy to Avoid New US-Iran Confrontation

The UAE's presidential adviser said Sunday that diplomatic breakthroughs in Qatar-led mediations are needed to avert further U.S.-Iran confrontation, warning military solutions offer no quick off-ramps to the crisis. Speaking at the Manama Dialogue security forum in Bahrain, Anwar Gargash acknowledged U.S. and Iranian positions remain far apart, adding the region is braced for possible escalation. Iranian negotiators are in Qatar for talks, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying no direct U.S. talks are underway. The UAE faced over 3,000 Iranian drone and missile attacks before an April ceasefire, while Iran fired 500 drones and nearly 200 missiles at Bahrain. Gulf nations have since spent billions on defense, and Bahrain's foreign minister cited continued Iranian threats, including to underwater data cables.