Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed met at the BRICS Summit to discuss ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including the war in Gaza and Lebanon. The meeting, the first between the two leaders, comes amidst renewed tensions over the three occupied islands in the Straits of Hormuz.
Despite recent calls for Iran to end its occupation of the islands, Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s sovereignty over Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb. The two countries also discussed the UAE’s normalization deal with Israel and the need to stop Israeli attacks on Gaza and Lebanon.
The meeting highlights the delicate balance of power in the region, with Iran’s support for groups fighting Israel and the UAE’s strategic shift towards normalization. The discussions at the BRICS Summit emphasize the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing conflicts in the Middle East.
As tensions continue to simmer, the meeting between Pezeshkian and Mohammed bin Zayed serves as a crucial step towards finding common ground and resolving longstanding disputes in the region.