UAE Adviser Warns Military Fixes Will Not End Iran Conflict

Anwar Gargash, a presidential adviser for the United Arab Emirates, said on Sunday that military options will not provide a quick exit from the ongoing crisis with Iran. Speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Gargash argued that political tools are the main instruments needed to manage the current situation. He described the conflict as a watershed moment for the region and the world.

Gargash expressed hope that diplomatic breakthroughs in Qatar-led mediations can prevent a new round of confrontation between the United States and Iran. He acknowledged, however, that the positions of Washington and Tehran are currently far apart. If those positions are not bridged, Gargash said the region must worry about the worst-case scenario.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iranian negotiators are currently in Qatar discussing a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi said no direct talks are being held with the U.S. and that the final outcome depends on Washington's answers to specific Iranian questions. In an interview on Telegram, he said Iran hopes the U.S. chooses diplomacy over other paths and is ready for both defense and diplomacy based on American rationality.

The potential for escalation overshadowed the three-day security forum in Manama. Gargash said the UAE and the wider region are braced for the possibility of further conflict. He noted that the war has solidified U.S.-UAE relations, making them central to the UAE's ability to defend itself. The International Institute for Strategic Studies, which organizes the summit, reported that the UAE faced more than 3,000 drone and ballistic missile attacks before an April ceasefire. Most of those attacks were intercepted.

Bahraini Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani said his country welcomes efforts to reduce tensions and create opportunities for dialogue. He described a pattern of Iranian attacks threatening regional stability, including threats to sea, air, and data facilities. Al Zayani noted that Iran has continued these actions even after the ceasefire, as recently as last month with threats to underwater data cables. He included attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia in this pattern.

According to the IISS, Iran fired 500 drones and nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Bahrain during the height of the war. The strikes hit 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, citing Saudi airstrikes on Sanaa airport as a reason. Gulf nations have spent billions of dollars to boost their defense capabilities since the fighting began.

The conflict started on Feb. 28 with joint strikes by the U.S. and Israel, followed by Iranian attacks on Gulf nations. Gargash said it is not in the interest of the region or Iran to withstand another round of war. The Manama Dialogue brought together regional and international officials, defense experts, and foreign affairs leaders to discuss the security outlook.