Rebuilding trust with Iran will be ‘mountain to climb', says Gargash

Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed, warns that rebuilding trust with Iran will be an uphill task following six months of war and Iranian attacks on Gulf states. He asserts that while relations could be restored more swiftly than trust, trust itself remains a formidable challenge. Despite efforts to unlock economic opportunities, Gargash maintains that Iran's aggression against Gulf states constitutes a grave strategic miscalculation, contributing to its isolation and straining relationships with neighbors.

He urges the Gulf to prioritize rebuilding bridges, de-escalation, and achieving a durable political settlement rather than resorting to threats or damaging ties. Gargash emphasizes that future dialogue with Iran should transcend mere economic concerns and address critical strategic issues such as security, non-interference, freedom of navigation, and economic cooperation.

He cautions that Iran's intentions must ultimately be judged by its actions, not just its words. The war's onset involved US and Israeli air strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate by striking US Gulf allies and closing the critical Strait of Hormuz, which handles a quarter of global seaborne oil trade. Gargash describes Iran's missile and drone attacks, primarily aimed at civilian infrastructure, as a significant military success.

While Gulf states intercepted many attacks, some breaches occurred, causing damage to critical facilities. The strikes in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain disrupted energy and vital infrastructure. The closure of the strait due to Iranian attacks and a US blockade has disrupted energy flows and driven up oil prices.

Gargash warns of a more intricate Gulf environment, noting that the UAE will maintain strategic autonomy. He acknowledges the effectiveness of individual Gulf and regional responses but criticizes the collective response as insufficient, comparing it unfavorably to previous crises such as the invasion of Kuwait and the Arab Spring.