UAE, Iran discuss de-escalation of conflict

The United Arab Emirates and Iran have discussed efforts to de-escalate tensions in Iran during a phone call between UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

The rare phone conversation between the two sides comes as the UAE has condemned Iranian attacks on Gulf states, describing them as “terrorist acts,” and has also called for the unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Caliber.Az reports, citing Reuters.

Iran has effectively restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war.

The two-week ceasefire was announced on April 8 - meaning it is due to expire next Wednesday on April 22 .

As part of the ongoing Iran–US conflict, the United States has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports along the Strait and Persian Gulf.

The blockade began on April 13, after peace talks in Islamabad failed.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov