US, UAE close ranks as Iran missile dispute raises Gulf tensions

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone Tuesday, August 18, with United Arab Emirates National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss regional security, including the latest tensions involving Iran, the U.S. State Department said.

The two officials discussed “a number of regional security issues, including Lebanon, as well as continued U.S.-UAE coordination to hold Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable for ongoing attacks,” the department said in a statement.

Rubio also underscored the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the statement.

The call came hours after the UAE announced that it was suspending all trade exchanges and financial transactions with Iran “until further notice.” Abu Dhabi said the decision followed what it described as the launch of two ballistic missiles from Iran toward the Gulf state.

The developments add to already heightened tensions across the Middle East following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February. Tehran responded with attacks on regional countries hosting U.S. military assets, including the UAE.

The latest escalation also comes amid the breakdown of U.S.-Iran diplomatic efforts. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding in mid-June under Pakistani mediation, with the stated aim of ending their war and reaching a lasting peace agreement.

The negotiations have since stalled, however, amid continuing disagreements over the terms of the memorandum and disputes concerning navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically vital waterway through which a significant share of global energy exports passes.

By Tamilla Hasanova