Iran Claims UAE Adviser Delivered Trump’s Letter Amid Rising Tensions
Iran has asserted that Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, delivered a letter from former US President Donald Trump to Tehran’s leadership, according to state media reports on Wednesday.
Tensions Over Nuclear Negotiations
The alleged letter comes at a time of escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, as Trump reinforces his tough stance on Iran’s nuclear program while simultaneously hinting at possible negotiations.
Read More: Trump Proposes Nuclear Talks to Iran’s Leader Khamenei
Last week, Trump claimed to have sent a message to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, proposing talks on a new nuclear agreement. However, he also issued a stark warning—negotiate under US terms or face military consequences.
Khamenei swiftly rejected the offer, stating Iran would not engage in talks under threats and excessive demands. On Tuesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed this sentiment, dismissing Trump’s approach and saying the US could “do whatever the hell it wants,” as reported by Iranian state media.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that Gargash met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Wednesday but declined to disclose details of their discussions.
UAE-Iran Relations: Strategic Ties Despite Political Differences
Despite being a key US ally in the Gulf and hosting American military bases, the UAE maintains complex economic and diplomatic ties with Iran. Trade between the two countries remains strong, with Dubai serving as a crucial hub for Iranian businesses.
While Trump has suggested a potential nuclear deal, his administration reinstated the “maximum pressure” campaign—a strategy aimed at crippling Iran’s economy by isolating it from the global financial system and reducing its oil exports to a minimum.
Trump had withdrawn from the 2015 nuclear agreement in 2018, reimposing severe sanctions. In response, Tehran gradually rolled back its commitments, increasing its uranium enrichment levels beyond the agreed limits.
Western Concerns Over Iran’s Uranium Stockpile
Western nations have expressed alarm over Iran’s growing highly enriched uranium reserves. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently reported that Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium—close to the 90% threshold for weapons-grade material—has expanded significantly.
On Wednesday, the UN Security Council (UNSC) held a closed-door meeting at the request of six member states, including the US, UK, and France, to assess Iran’s nuclear advancements.
Iranian officials criticized the meeting, with Araqchi calling it an unusual move that could damage diplomatic relations. He reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to ongoing nuclear discussions with France, Britain, and Germany but warned that any UNSC action could cast doubt on the legitimacy of these talks.
Meanwhile, China’s foreign ministry announced that Beijing and Moscow would host Iranian officials on Friday to discuss the Iran nuclear issue.
“Our negotiations with European countries will continue,” Araqchi stated. “However, if the UN Security Council or the IAEA Board of Governors moves to pressure Iran, it will raise serious concerns about the legitimacy of these discussions.”
