UAE leads international effort to de-escalate Iran-Israel conflict

The United Arab Emirates has contacted more than 30 countries in an international effort to de-escalate the ongoing war between Israel and Iran, the Al-Ain media outlet reported.

According to the report, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has reached out to regional and international leaders as parts of the Emirati diplomatic initiative to reduce tensions in the Middle East. 

“In coordination with international partners, [this included] monitoring developments related to the situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear facilities after their bombing, to ensure there are no repercussions for the UAE and the region,” the news outlet reported.

“It reiterated its call for the international community to mobilize efforts to reach a comprehensive solution to these sensitive and dangerous developments that will protect the region and its peoples from the scourge of conflict,” it continued. 

Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the UAE’s president, stressed the country’s role as a peace maker in the region. 

“The UAE is the voice of reason and a pillar of peace, stability, and prosperity,” Gargash stated in a blog post. 

“In light of these exceptional regional circumstances,” the advisor continued, “we have absolute confidence in the wisdom of our leadership, led by [Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan] to steer the country with insight and steadfastness.”

With diplomatic ties with both Israel and Iran and located close to Iran, the UAE is uniquely positioned to advance diplomatic efforts. The UAE Foreign Ministry has stressed the need to advance what it describes as regional stability, economic prosperity and justice. 

“Since the outbreak of the military confrontation between Iran and Israel 10 days ago, hardly a day goes by” without UAE president and Foreign Affairs Minister “Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan conducting diplomatic contacts with leaders and officials around the world to discuss de-escalation,” the Al-Ain report stated.

Meanwhile, Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon defended the Israeli and American strikes on the Iranian regime’s nuclear sites. 

“This is what the last line of defense looks like when every other line has failed,” Danon told the UN Security Council. 

“The cost of inaction would have been catastrophic. A nuclear Iran would have been a death sentence just as much for you as it would have been for us,” the Israeli ambassador warned. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has assessed that the Jewish state is close to achieving its stated war goals in the ongoing conflict with the Iranian regime, specifically severely degrading Tehran’s nuclear and missile capabilities. However, Netanyahu reassured the Israeli people that Jerusalem “will not be dragged into a war of attrition.” 

Netanyahu stressed that he found strength in the Jewish faith when ordering the historic “Operation Rising Lion” offensive against Iran. 

“Ten days ago, a few hours before setting out on the historic operation against the evil regime of Iran, I visited the Western Wall, and there too I suddenly felt the need to wrap myself in a tallit. I went to pray for the success of our heroic pilots, our excellent soldiers and commanders, for the security of our country, for the peace of our people. And then I wrote on a note that I placed between the stones of the Wall: "Look! the people will rise like a lioness; like a lion he raises himself,” Netanyahu stated.