ABU DHABI: Senior diplomatic adviser to the United Arab Emirates President Anwar Gargash has said that Iran’s nuclear program is now the region’s most pressing concern, according to international media reports.
Gargash warned that any further escalation between the United States and Iran could significantly complicate the regional security situation.
He said that any changes in the strategic importance or stability of the Strait of Hormuz would have serious consequences not only for the region but also for Europe, urging European countries to view the waterway as a critical energy and trade corridor.
The UAE adviser stressed the importance of pursuing a diplomatic solution, but cautioned that such efforts should not come at the cost of creating further future instability.
He said Iran’s nuclear program had shifted from being a secondary concern to the top priority issue, adding that Iran has the capability to use all available means in its strategic arsenal.
Gargash also noted that relations with the United States have become the backbone of Gulf national defence systems, with Washington playing an increasingly central role in regional security calculations.
In a separate remark, he said the UAE had been considering a possible withdrawal from OPEC over the past three years.