UAE calls for US to step in as regional war escalates
The United Arab Emirates is “seriously concerned” as the regional war expands and believes it is imperative that the US play an effective role to diffuse tensions, a top official told CNN.
“At this critical juncture, the UAE believes a robust and effective American role is extremely necessary,” said Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, adding that there was a need for de-escalation “along all fronts, including Israel and Iran.”
The UAE is the Middle East’s commercial and tourism hub and has strong economic ties with both Israel and Iran.
He said that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian made “encouraging statements” at the United Nations General Assembly last month, but those statement have been “undermined by the current escalation.”
Pezeshkian said at the United Nations that his country is ready to engage with the West on its disputed nuclear program, and said Iran was ready to lay down its arms if Israel did the same.
Key stakeholders: Both the UAE and Iran are major oil producers and Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-third of the world’s seaborne oil trade passes. US President Joe Biden has cautioned against an Israeli strike on Iranian oil interests. Tehran has in previous years warned that if it cannot sell its own oil, then it won’t allow others in the region to do so either.
A disruption to oil production from Middle Eastern states could lead to global oil prices skyrocketing. Gargash also stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire in in Gaza and Lebanon.
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