🇦🇪🇮🇷 UAE to Unlock Billions for Iran in Exchange for Halt to Attacks
The United Arab Emirates has agreed to release billions of dollars to Iran in return for an end to Iranian missile and drone attacks on the Gulf state, four sources told Reuters, a sharp pivot after weeks of strikes exchanged between the two during the war.
Estimates ranged from $10 billion to $20 billion, with a first $3 billion tranche already delivered. Reuters could not establish whether the funds belong to the UAE or come from long-blocked Iranian accounts in its banking system.
The arrangement lets each side save face, one source said: Iran can claim compensation for war damages, Washington can insist it paid nothing, and Abu Dhabi secures its safety and Dubai’s status as a business hub.
How the deal came together, per the sources:
🔸 Talks accelerated when Iranian Revolutionary Guard officials visited Abu Dhabi last week to meet Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed al Nahyan, the UAE’s national security adviser, staying at his guest house
🔸 UAE officials then traveled to Tehran to finalize the mechanism
🔸 In return, Iran agreed to halt attacks and rebuild ties, including intelligence sharing
🔸 Tehran has approached at least two other Gulf states about similar deals
Iran’s last known direct strike on the UAE was a May 4 attack on Fujairah port. The move coincides with final-stage U.S.-Iran talks that could free tens of billions in frozen Iranian oil revenues.
As per Reuters the UAE is either unlocking or paying billions of dollars to Iran, including transfers up to $20bn in an attempt to reset relations after the recent war. $3bn has reportedly already been paid.