UAE to re-deploy ambassador to Iran, relations will return to normal after 6 years

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is planning to redeploy its ambassador to Iran for the first time in six years. The announcement was made by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. The UAE's official WAM news agency reported that the Emirate's ambassador to Iran, Saif Mohammed Al Zaabi, will return to Tehran in the coming days to continue to advance bilateral ties for the common interests of the two neighbors and the region.

The move comes as US and Iranian diplomats seek to end 16-month talks with world powers to restore Tehran's historic nuclear deal.

Other Gulf countries have also shown signs of softening. Last week, Kuwait appointed a new ambassador to Tehran for the first time since 2016. At the same time, Saudi Arabia has worked to end tensions with Iran in talks mediated by Baghdad.

The foreign ministers of both the countries had talks

Last week, the foreign ministers of the Emirate and Iran held telephonic conversations and discussed expanding relations. They also discussed sending the ambassador back to Tehran. Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirbadullahian discussed ways to boost bilateral relations and areas of cooperation for the benefit of both countries. After years of hostility, the UAE reconnected with Iran in 2019 following attacks on Gulf waters and Saudi energy sites.