UAE VP discusses de-escalation efforts with Iran’s speaker Ghalibaf, WAM says

Rare UAE-Iran call signals push for easing tensions amid stalled talks

ABU DHABI: The Vice President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed discussed in a phone call with Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad-BagherGhalibaf de-escalation efforts in the Iran war, UAE state news agency WAM reported on Wednesday.

The rare phone call between the two countries comes against the backdrop of the UAE having condemned Iran’s attacks on Gulf states, describing them as terrorist acts, while also calling for the unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, the United States said on Wednesday its military had completely halted trade going in and out of Iran by sea, even though Trump said talks with Tehran on ending the war could resume this week.

Trump said negotiations between US and Iranian officials could resume in Pakistan in the next two days, and Vice President JD Vance, who led weekend talks that ended without a breakthrough, said he felt positive about where things stood.

Officials from Pakistan, Iran and the Gulf also said negotiating teams from the US and Iran could return to Pakistan later this week, although one senior Iranian source said no date had been set. Monitoring Desk