DUBAI // The UAE voiced cautious optimism ahead of a two-day meeting between Gulf leaders and US president Barack Obama, aimed at dispelling concerns about a nuclear deal with Tehran.
Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said on Wednesday that the summit – which started later that day – would lead to progress on this issue.
“Those who think this meeting will be 10 steps forward, I think this will be an exaggeration in expectations,” he said during a speech at the annual Arab Media Forum in Dubai.
“I think the meeting will for sure be two steps forward in bolstering this cooperation, and sending positive messages to Iran that dealing with the Arab region and the Gulf region should not be with the same recklessness in the coming period.”
However, he said the summit would be “overshadowed by big worries”.
Gulf nations are alarmed by Iran’s rising influence in the region, particularly in Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria. Gulf officials are also sceptical of a nuclear deal between Iran and six major world powers, who have a June 30 deadline for a final agreement under which Tehran could see sanctions gradually lifted in return for curbing its nuclear programme.
Tensions have heightened over the Yemen conflict, in which Iran has been accused of backing Shiite Houthi rebels who drove the government into exile.
Dr Gargash emphasised the need to find a political solution in Yemen, which should be followed by economic and reconstruction efforts.
dalsaadi@thenational.ae
