Paris, France – Web Desk: The United Arab Emirates has warned that restoring trust with Iran could take years following recent hostilities, citing extensive damage to confidence between the two nations.
Speaking at the World Policy Conference, Anwar Gargash, adviser to President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said trust had fallen to unprecedented levels after the latest conflict.
Gargash stated that the scale and nature of the attacks had significantly undermined relations, making any rapid restoration of trust unlikely. “Rebuilding confidence will not happen overnight; it will take years,” he said.
He added that a large proportion of Iranian strikes — estimated at around 89% — targeted civilian areas, infrastructure, and energy facilities in the UAE, intensifying concerns over regional security.
According to the UAE official, the attacks, which reportedly involved around 2,800 missiles and drones, sent a broader message to Gulf states and would have long-term geopolitical implications.
Gargash also described Iran as a continuing strategic concern for the region, particularly for Gulf countries, warning that the fallout from the conflict would shape regional dynamics for years.
The escalation follows a period of heightened tensions after Iran launched strikes on locations it said were linked to foreign military presence in the UAE, in response to a wider conflict involving the United States and Israel.
Gulf states have strongly condemned the attacks, calling them a violation of sovereignty and a threat to regional stability. Iran, however, has maintained that its actions were directed at foreign military targets and urged neighboring countries not to allow their territories to be used against it.
