Top UAE delegation set to visit Iran to 'de-escalate tensions'

A high-level delegation is expected to visit Teheran soon as the country is "taking steps to de-escalate tensions with Iran."

Iranian flag flies in front of the UN office building, housing IAEA headquarters, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Vienna, Austria, May 24, 2021. (photo credit: LISI NIESNER/ REUTERS)
Iranian flag flies in front of the UN office building, housing IAEA headquarters, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Vienna, Austria, May 24, 2021.
(photo credit: LISI NIESNER/ REUTERS)

A top delegation from the United Arab Emirates will visit Tehran soon as the Gulf state works to de-escalate tensions with Iran, senior Iranian and Gulf officials told Reuters on Wednesday.

A Gulf official said a high-level delegation is expected to visit Teheran soon but they declined to confirm whether UAE's top national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan would lead the visit.

Sheik Tahnoon is a brother of the country’s de facto ruler Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed and chairman of state investor ADQ.

A senior Iranian official said an Emirati official would visit soon but declined to give more details.

Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the UAE president, said on Monday that his country was "taking steps to de-escalate tensions with Iran as part of a policy choice towards diplomacy and away from confrontation."

Gargash said the UAE remained deeply concerned about Iran's behavior in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon.

UAE FOREIGN MINISTER Anwar Gargash. (credit: REUTERS/FAISAL AL NASSER)
UAE FOREIGN MINISTER Anwar Gargash. (credit: REUTERS/FAISAL AL NASSER)

Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, are closely watching talks between global powers and Iran to revive a 2015 nuclear pact. They believe the deal was flawed for not addressing Iran's missile program and network of regional proxies.