Anwar Gargash condemns “Iranian intimidation” and calls for respect of Gulf sovereignty

Middle East 21-05-2026 | 12:51

Anwar Gargash condemns “Iranian intimidation” and calls for respect of Gulf sovereignty

UAE presidential adviser says trust with Tehran cannot be restored through rhetoric alone, stressing that respect for sovereignty and responsible conduct are essential for coexistence with the Arab region.

Anwar Gargash condemns “Iranian intimidation” and calls for respect of Gulf sovereignty
UAE presidential advisor Anwar Gargash (X).
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Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President of the United Arab Emirates, criticized on Thursday what he described as decades of continued Iranian intimidation, saying it has become part of the political landscape in the Gulf and has led to a loss of credibility between hostile rhetoric and empty declarations of friendship.

 

Gargash said that the “recent Iranian aggression” reflects an attempt by Tehran to impose a new reality following what he described as a clear military defeat, stressing that efforts to control the Strait of Hormuz or violate the UAE’s maritime sovereignty are nothing more than wishful thinking.


Strait of Hormuz (AFP)
Strait of Hormuz (AFP)

 

He added that any path toward coexistence with the Arab region requires acknowledging that trust is currently absent and that rebuilding it cannot be achieved through slogans, but through responsible rhetoric, respect for sovereignty, and genuine commitment to the principles of good neighborly relations.