DUBAI, February 3, 2026 — The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has warned that stabilising Gaza requires parallel progress on Palestinian statehood and Israeli security, stressing that diplomacy — not force — is the only viable path forward for the region. The UAE also cautioned that unresolved tensions with Iran could trigger another major Middle East crisis if not addressed with equal urgency.
The message was delivered by Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during a session at the World Government Summit in Dubai on Tuesday. Gargash said the region could not afford repeated cycles of confrontation, whether in Gaza or in its relations with Iran.
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“The way forward in Gaza is political,” Gargash said, adding that the Middle East had already endured “calamitous confrontations” and did not need further escalation.
He emphasised that any durable solution for Gaza must be rooted in a comprehensive political framework involving Palestinians, Israel, Egypt and Jordan, with strong backing from key international partners. Gargash highlighted the central role of the United States in facilitating a sustainable settlement that balances Palestinian aspirations with Israel’s security concerns.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia and allied nations have issued a joint warning that ongoing Israeli ceasefire violations risk undermining fragile peace efforts in Gaza.
In a coordinated diplomatic message, the countries stressed that continued breaches threaten regional stability and… pic.twitter.com/eGPKCtlZBA
— ArabianBusiness.com (@ArabianBusiness) February 2, 2026
Rejecting speculation about Abu Dhabi’s role, Gargash said the UAE has no intention of administering Gaza. While the country remains one of the largest humanitarian donors, he stressed that governance and reconstruction must emerge from a broader political process rather than ad hoc arrangements.
Turning to Iran, Gargash warned that ongoing tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme risk opening a second major crisis in a region already destabilised by the Gaza war. He said Iran faced mounting economic and geopolitical pressure and needed to reach a comprehensive deal.
Calling for direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran, Gargash said rebuilding US-Iran relations through a broader political and geostrategic agreement was essential for regional stability. Without such an understanding, he warned, Iran’s nuclear file would remain a persistent source of instability.
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Resolving both Gaza and Iran through diplomacy, he said, would help defuse tensions, enable reconstruction and create space for long-term economic recovery across the region.