UAE Leads Regional Diplomatic Push to Prevent Escalation Following Iran Strikes

Amid heightened regional tensions following U.S.-backed strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has launched a series of urgent diplomatic consultations with global and regional leaders, urging de-escalation and renewed commitment to dialogue.

Sheikh Mohamed spoke by phone on Saturday with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, according to a statement released by state news agency WAM. The leaders voiced shared concern over the potential fallout from recent military actions and stressed the importance of preventing further deterioration in the region.

The discussions come days after U.S. B-2 bombers targeted key Iranian nuclear sites, a move that has raised fears of a broader regional conflict and prompted widespread calls for restraint.

“The leaders emphasized the urgency of intensifying international diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis and prevent further instability,” WAM reported. They reaffirmed their shared objective of preserving peace and shielding the region’s people from the consequences of conflict.

In a separate statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “deep concern” over rising tensions and warned of “serious repercussions” if hostilities continue. The ministry urged a renewed commitment to diplomacy and called on the international community, including the United Nations and Security Council, to act swiftly to defuse the situation.

“The region is at a critical juncture,” the ministry said. “It is essential to resolve disputes through diplomatic, comprehensive approaches that promote long-term stability, prosperity, and justice.”

Amid public anxiety about nuclear risks, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) assured UAE residents there were no threats to national safety. FANR said it is monitoring the situation closely in cooperation with international nuclear oversight bodies, including the IAEA, and advised the public to avoid spreading unverified information.

Elsewhere in the region, both Qatar and Saudi Arabia joined calls for restraint. Qatar’s foreign ministry issued a statement warning of “catastrophic consequences” if tensions are allowed to spiral further and called for diplomatic resolution.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held phone calls with leaders of all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, including the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. The conversations, according to Saudi Press Agency, focused on building a unified regional response to prevent further escalation.

In a joint statement, GCC leaders reaffirmed their solidarity and called for collective diplomatic efforts to resolve disputes peacefully. “The GCC member states stand together in these critical circumstances,” the statement read.

The coordinated regional outreach reflects growing concern that the latest phase of hostilities could plunge the Middle East into a wider, destabilizing conflict with global implications.