Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks in New Delhi on Saturday on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, providing a rare diplomatic opening between Tehran and Abu Dhabi as the wider West Asia conflict continues to strain relations.
The meeting came at a particularly sensitive time, with Iran and the United Arab Emirates having faced heightened tensions in recent months following repeated Iranian missile and drone attacks on the UAE.
Iran's embassy in India confirmed the engagement in a post, saying Pezeshkian met and held talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.
Iran-UAE tensions deepen amid regional conflict
The talks assume significance against the backdrop of a deteriorating regional security situation. Iran has repeatedly launched missiles and drones at the UAE amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Abu Dhabi has condemned the attacks as a violation of its sovereignty and warned that it reserves the right to respond. In March, Emirati officials said the country was in a state of defence but stressed that it did not want to be pulled into a wider conflict.
The UAE adopted a stronger position in May, describing the attacks as an "unacceptable act of aggression" and a direct threat to its security and territorial integrity. Abu Dhabi also said Iran would be held responsible for the consequences of such attacks.
Despite the sharp differences, the UAE leadership has continued to advocate restraint, dialogue and a diplomatic solution to the wider regional crisis. Against this backdrop, the New Delhi engagement provides both sides with an opportunity to keep a direct diplomatic channel open despite the military confrontation.
Pezeshkian urges BRICS to oppose attacks on civilian sites
The meeting took place as Pezeshkian called on BRICS countries to adopt a stronger position against US pressure and what Tehran describes as attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Addressing the BRICS summit, the Iranian president urged member countries to take practical steps against sanctions and said the grouping should act as a voice for justice.
"BRICS members have a responsibility to stand against the normalisation of attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities, because any action against these sites constitutes a direct threat to international peace and security," Pezeshkian said.
He also highlighted the Palestinian issue, saying the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination was a major test of the credibility and legitimacy of global governance and required BRICS to play an active role.
BRICS declaration calls for restraint in West Asia
The BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026, which expressed concern over the continuing escalation in West Asia and called on all sides to exercise maximum restraint.
The declaration stressed the importance of protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure, respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and pursuing dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace and stability.
The developments in Delhi therefore brought together two parallel diplomatic tracks: efforts by Iran and the UAE to maintain communication despite severe tensions, and a broader BRICS push for restraint and diplomatic engagement as the West Asia conflict continues to reshape regional relations.
The Pezeshkian-UAE leadership meeting, coming on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, was consequently more than a routine interaction at an international gathering, offering a rare opportunity for Tehran and Abu Dhabi to keep diplomatic communication alive during a period of heightened regional volatility.