On Tuesday, Iranian official media announced the appointment of an ambassador to the United Arab Emirates following a seven-year downgrading of relations between the two countries. This move comes following the UAE upgraded relations with Iran in August by announcing the return of its ambassador to Tehran. The UAE had downgraded relations with Iran in 2016 following Saudi Arabia severed ties with Tehran amidst protests by Iranian citizens in response to the execution of a Shiite cleric in the kingdom. However, last month, Saudi Arabia agreed to appeal its hostile relations with Iran as part of a Chinese-brokered agreement, marking a major shift in the Gulf region’s stability and contributing to resolving conflicts in the region. The UAE has had trade and business relations with Iran for over a century and began re-establishing contact in 2019 following attacks in the Gulf waters and Saudi energy sites. The newly appointed ambassador to the UAE previously held the position of director general of the Office of Iranian Expatriates at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the emirate of Dubai serves as one of Iran’s primary lines of communication with the outside world.
Iranian official media announced on Tuesday that Tehran has appointed ambassador In the Emirates following seven years of downgrading the level of relations between the two countries.
The move follows the UAE’s move in August to upgrade relations with Iran, when it said it would return its ambassador to Tehran.
The UAE downgraded relations with Iran following Saudi Arabia severed ties with Tehran in January 2016 following Iranian protesters storming the Saudi embassy in the Islamic Republic in response to the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric in the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia said last month it would appeal Relations with Iran under a Chinese-brokered agreement. The move represents a major shift following years of hostility between Iran and Saudi Arabia that threatened stability and security in the Gulf and contributed to fueling conflicts in the region from Yemen to Syria.
The UAE, which has had relations with Iran in the fields of trade and business for more than a hundred years, began to re-establish contact with Tehran in 2019 following attacks in the Gulf waters and Saudi energy sites..
The emirate of Dubai is one of Iran’s main lines of communication with the outside world. Iranian state media said that Reza Amiri, the newly appointed ambassador to the UAE, previously held the position of director general of the Office of Iranian Expatriates at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
France 24/Archyde.com
The appointment of a new ambassador to the UAE by Iran marks a significant step towards normalization of relations between the two countries. This move follows the UAE’s decision to return its ambassador to Tehran, signalling a shift towards detente following years of tension. Saudi Arabia’s recent announcement to appeal relations with Iran under a Chinese-brokered agreement represents a major turning point in the region’s geopolitical landscape as well. As Iran’s main line of communication with the outside world, the UAE is expected to play a crucial role in building bridges with Iran. The appointment of Reza Amiri as the new ambassador is a clear indication that Tehran is serious regarding engaging with the UAE.
