UAE and Iran leaders meet at the BRICS summit for the first time since the war

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-13T12:01:05.549Z • Permanent link

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the BRICS summit for the first time since the 2022 conflict in the region. The talks were a significant development, coming just weeks after the UAE suspended all trade and financial dealings with Iran. This decision followed Iran's attacks on Gulf countries, which had strained relations between the two nations. Sheikh Mohammed's firm stance on rebuilding trust with Iran was clear, as he reiterated that the UAE would not engage with Iran until it had demonstrated a commitment to security and stability.

UAE officials had been exploring ways to re-establish economic ties with Iran, but the recent attacks had made it clear that trust would not be easily regained. The UAE's suspension of trade and financial dealings was a significant blow to Iran's economy, which had been struggling to recover from the effects of US sanctions. The decision was also seen as a way for the UAE to assert its influence in the region and to demonstrate its commitment to regional security.

Sheikh Mohammed's meeting with President Raisi was seen as a significant step forward, as it marked the first time the two leaders had met since the conflict. The talks were said to have been constructive, with both sides discussing ways to improve relations and to increase cooperation on regional security issues. However, the road to rebuilding trust would be long and difficult, and it remains to be seen whether the UAE and Iran can make significant progress in the coming months.

The talks between Sheikh Mohammed and President Raisi have significant implications for the global economy, particularly in the Middle East. The UAE's suspension of trade and financial dealings with Iran had a major impact on the Iranian economy, which was already struggling to recover from the effects of US sanctions. The decision had also raised concerns about the stability of the global economy, as it highlighted the risks of conflict in the region.

Several major companies, including oil producers and exporters, had been impacted by the UAE's decision, as it had disrupted supply chains and increased costs. The decision had also raised concerns about the impact on research communities, particularly in the fields of energy and finance, which had been working to develop new technologies and products to address the challenges posed by the conflict. The talks between Sheikh Mohammed and President Raisi had the potential to mitigate these impacts, and to provide a new framework for economic cooperation between the two nations.

The talks between Sheikh Mohammed and President Raisi were part of a larger pattern of regional diplomacy, which had been shaped by the ongoing conflict in Yemen and the rise of new powers in the region. The UAE had been working closely with other regional players, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to develop new strategies for regional security and to address the challenges posed by the conflict. The talks between Sheikh Mohammed and President Raisi were also seen as part of a broader effort to promote regional cooperation and to address the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic.