Iran’s president met with the crown prince in Abu Dhabi amid hostilities in West Asia
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with UAE Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. | Photo credit: ANI
Against a backdrop of continued hostilities in West Asia, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday (12 September 2026). Both sides discussed regional hostilities and expressed support for “de-escalation”.
The conversation came ten days after Iran targeted military facilities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The “New Delhi Declaration”, adopted at the BRICS summit and announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed “deep concern” over the numerous conflicts in West Asia, but failed to name any of the main stakeholders, including the United States, in the text.
“Efforts to Release Tensions”
The Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a statement: “During the meeting, His Highness and the Iranian president discussed several regional and international issues of common concern. They also stressed the importance of supporting efforts to de-escalate tensions, promote de-escalation and strengthen regional stability, while expanding opportunities for peace and development for the peoples of the region.” Iran’s state-owned IRNA news website said the meeting followed “Iran’s continued call and emphasis on strengthening relations with its southern neighbours”.
Mr Pezeshkian said on Saturday (12 September 2026) that West Asia did not need the United States, which is at war with Iran, to be a “regional policeman”. After a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the Iranian president said: “The territorial integrity and security of the region (West Asia) can only be guaranteed by its main players and the countries that make it up.
Conflicts in West Asia gained prominence on the first day of the BRICS summit here on Saturday, with a joint statement announced at the end of the first day of the leaders’ dialogue dropping any mention of the warring parties in order to reach a consensus. A joint statement – the New Delhi Declaration – announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed “deep concern” over tensions in West Asia while supporting the “inalienable rights” of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
“We express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in West Asia and, citing our respective national position, call for maximum restraint and avoidance of actions that could further exacerbate the situation,” the New Delhi declaration said, stressing the need to maintain “the smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy in accordance with applicable international law.”
“Deep concern” over Palestine
The declaration went on to express “deep concern” about the ongoing fighting in the Gaza Strip and called for “an end to any policy aimed at the forced displacement of Palestinians”. She also emphasized the need for a “just and lasting solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The document extended support for “the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine” within the “internationally recognized 1967 borders, which include the Gaza Strip and the West Bank with East Jerusalem as its capital”. The statement said Israel had a “legal obligation” to ensure the delivery of “humanitarian aid in Gaza” and called on Israel to respect the terms agreed with the Lebanese government and withdraw its occupation forces from all Lebanese territories.
The declaration took a firm stance on attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which have continued since the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October 2023.
Iran gained diplomatically at the SCO summit in Bishkek earlier this month, when a joint statement clearly condemned attacks on Iran and supported Iran’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The West Asia Talk in New Delhi took on added significance with the arrival of Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Saturday (September 12, 2026) evening. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously condemned Houthi militia attacks on Saudi sovereign territory and civilian and economic facilities, saying “such attacks that undermine regional security and stability and threaten freedom of navigation in Bab-el-Mandeb are unacceptable”.
Published – 12 Sep 2026 23:17 IST