UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a phone conversation with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday amid escalating tensions in West Asia triggered by Iran’s missile attacks.
Key Diplomatic Engagements
Sheikh Abdullah conducted calls with several foreign ministers and officials, including Morocco’s Nasser Bourita and UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto. The discussions reviewed the evolving regional situation, focusing on Iran’s unprovoked missile strikes targeting the UAE and neighboring countries.
Leaders condemned the attacks as violations of international law and the UN Charter, posing direct threats to state sovereignty and regional stability. They affirmed the right of affected nations to defend their territorial integrity and protect citizens, residents, and visitors in accordance with global norms.
Sheikh Abdullah expressed gratitude for the international solidarity shown toward the UAE, confirming that all residents and visitors remain safe.
Recent Developments and Earlier Contacts
This outreach follows an earlier call on March 15 between Sheikh Abdullah and Jaishankar, where they exchanged views on various regional aspects.
Tensions heightened after strikes on Iran’s South Pars gas field, the world’s largest natural gas reserve. Reports attribute the attacks to Israel with U.S. consent. Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders have vowed retaliatory strikes on energy infrastructure in the Gulf, including sites in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
Impact on Global Markets
The escalation disrupts energy markets, driving oil prices toward $110 per barrel due to fears of supply interruptions near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for worldwide oil shipments.
