Iran Must Halt Attacks Before Mediation Can Begin

The United Arab Emirates has established a firm precondition for any mediation efforts with Iran, requiring Tehran to halt its attacks on neighboring countries before diplomatic negotiations can proceed.

“A senior United Arab Emirates diplomat says Iran must cease its attacks on neighboring countries before any mediation efforts can proceed”

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UAE Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh emphasized that mediation discussions cannot meaningfully occur while under attack, stating 'Mediation can only happen when the guns go silent.'

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This position reflects UAE's frustration over Iran's recent strikes against civilian targets including Dubai's airport, prominent hotels, and the nation's financial center.

The diplomat described these attacks as 'so shocking and so egregious,' particularly given that Iranian officials provided no warning during diplomatic talks in Tehran just two weeks before hostilities began that the UAE would become a target.

The UAE maintains that Iran's actions constitute 'illegal and unlawful attacks on the Gulf countries and Jordan,' making immediate cessation of hostilities a necessary prerequisite for any peace process.

The UAE diplomat highlighted the unprecedented nature of Iranian aggression against Gulf states, noting that despite recent diplomatic contacts with Tehran, the attacks came without any advance warning.

During an interview on Friday, Nusseibeh emphasized that Iran's strikes targeting the UAE's economic foundation - which attracts approximately 700,000 Iranian residents - have demonstrated the resilience of the Emirati economy.

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'Our economy is strong and robust and resilient,' she stated, noting that 'People are back at work, our airports are open, flights are taking off.'

This assessment comes as the UAE maintains regular communication with the Trump administration, describing the relationship as a 'robust strategic partnership.'

The diplomat refrained from criticizing American or Israeli military actions against Iran, suggesting these operations should be considered separately from what she termed Iran's attacks on Gulf countries.

The UAE expressed confidence that the ongoing conflict will eventually reach a diplomatic resolution through President Trump's leadership.

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Nusseibeh stated, 'Ultimately, it will be a diplomatic solution, but there needs to be that tipping point moment, and I think President Trump will lead us all to that moment in his time.'

This assessment aligns with the UAE's broader diplomatic strategy, which holds that meaningful mediation can only commence after hostilities cease.

The diplomat's comments reflect the UAE's position that while a negotiated settlement is inevitable in the long term, immediate cessation of Iranian attacks is necessary to create the conditions for diplomatic engagement.

This stance underscores the UAE's pragmatic approach to regional stability, balancing economic interests with security concerns while maintaining strategic partnerships with Western powers.

Iran's leadership has justified their strikes as targeting American military presence throughout the region, with President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasizing that government policies will be fully coordinated with the country's supreme leader.

In a message released on Friday, Pezeshkian stated, 'As the elected representative of the Iranian people and president, I consider it my duty to fully follow the leadership's guidance.'

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He added that 'No policy in the administration of the country or in international relations will be proposed or pursued by the government without coordination with the leadership,' framing such obedience as 'a foundation of national unity.'

This statement underscores the unified Iranian government position that their military actions are defensive responses to U.S. military installations in the region.

Meanwhile, Russia's top nuclear official reported that no changes in radiation levels had been detected following strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities during the conflict with the United States and Israel, according to Alexei Likhachev, head of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom.

The conflict extends beyond UAE-Iran tensions, involving multiple nations in the region that host U.S. military installations.

“A senior United Arab Emirates diplomat says Iran must cease its attacks on neighboring countries before any mediation efforts can proceed”

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The UAE joins several other countries including Gulf states, Iraq, Jordan and Turkey in hosting American military presence, making them potential targets in Iran's regional strategy.

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The strikes have created significant challenges for regional stability, with the UAE diplomat warning that returning to pre-conflict diplomatic relations would prove difficult given 'the destruction and the chaos that Iran has caused in the region.'

The UAE's position reflects broader regional concerns about Iranian aggression, while also demonstrating the country's ability to maintain economic functionality despite attacks on key infrastructure.

The situation highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East, where economic interests, security concerns, and strategic alliances intersect in increasingly volatile circumstances.