The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has shared deep worries about Iran’s nuclear plans and has called on Iran to cooperate fully with the United Nations inspectors. The UAE’s representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Hamad Alkaabi, said that Iran’s activities to make uranium have no real peaceful purposes.
This is a significant event because the UAE has been trying to make better relations with Iran recently. Including the exchange of Ambassadors and even inviting the leader of UAE to visit Iran.
Addressing a non-proliferation meeting in Vienna, Alkaabi emphasized the importance of Iran addressing the concerns raised by the IAEA. He urged Iran to take concrete steps to “build confidence in the peaceful intent” of its nuclear activities. The call comes against the backdrop of Iran’s enrichment and stockpiling of uranium, as well as its installation of new centrifuges, following the US withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Alkaabi pointed out that Iran’s uranium enrichment to levels as high as 60 percent, well above the 3.67 percent cap stipulated by the JCPOA, is a cause for alarm and highlighted that such activities were not consistent with the agreement, thus raising serious concerns for the UAE, which is just a matter of miles away from Iran
The United Arab Emirates’ notable expression of concern regarding Iran’s nuclear program holds significance due to its recent attempts at improving diplomatic ties with Iran. This divergence highlights the UAE’s priority for regional stability and non-proliferation despite diplomatic advancements. Hamad Alkaabi’s call for Iran to address International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) concerns underscores the UAE’s emphasis on transparency and peaceful intent. Alkaabi’s specific reference to Iran’s uranium enrichment, exceeding the JCPOA limits, emphasizes regional security implications, as the UAE is geographically close to Iran. This stance reflects a complex dynamic where diplomatic engagement is balanced with security considerations in a volatile region.
Aimen Jamil's intellectual curiosity lies at the intersection of Middle East and Pakistan Foreign Policy.
