In the presence of Latifa bint Mohammed, Dr. Anwar Gargash addresses AMS

In the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, His Excellency Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, outlined the UAE’s approach to rapidly evolving regional and international developments and its position on a range of current issues during a main session at the Arab Media Forum, held under the umbrella of the 24th Arab Media Summit 2026.

During the session, His Excellency highlighted the country’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and national interests, combining strong deterrence with diplomatic flexibility, and supporting dialogue as the most effective path towards regional security, stability and prosperity.

Dr. Gargash said the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has shaped a distinctive UAE approach to major regional transformations, founded on wisdom, foresight and firm national principles, while investing in people and building a diversified economy capable of adapting to change and shaping the future.

He said His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s approach to managing crises combines diplomatic flexibility with firmness in defending the UAE’s security and interests.

His Excellency said: “His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is at the forefront of advocating deterrence when the UAE’s security is at stake, and equally at the forefront of advocating diplomacy when there is room for dialogue and for building new understandings that can provide a way out of a crisis.”

Dr. Gargash added that one of the defining features of the UAE President’s approach to crises is a long-term perspective and a clear understanding of the relationships that are essential to the UAE. Establishing deterrence at the outset of a crisis, he said, subsequently creates more realistic space for diplomacy.

The session was attended by Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ajman Department of Tourism, Culture and Media; His Excellency Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority; and Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and Chairperson of the Arab Media Summit Organising Committee.

The session, titled ‘Media Reinvented: Navigating an Era of Transformation’, was moderated by media presenter and political writer Emad El Din Adeeb.

Relations with Iran
His Excellency Dr. Anwar Gargash discussed relations with Iran in light of current developments, saying the present situation requires two parallel tracks: managing the crisis and confrontation while minimising its impact, and looking ahead to the future of the relationship by building new understandings that support regional security and stability.

He said protecting the UAE’s sovereignty and its people remains the country’s foremost priority, alongside maintaining its economic and development trajectory. He stressed the need to distinguish between maintaining relations and restoring trust.

“Relations are necessary, and therefore communication and dialogue are necessary,” he said. “But that dialogue must go beyond day-to-day issues such as trade, aviation and shipping to address deeper questions, including guarantees against aggression and how to shape a future that safeguards stability for both countries and the wider region.”

He added that regional relations should be approached realistically and pragmatically, taking into account geography, history and the interests of the countries of the region. Rebuilding trust, however, is a separate process that requires time and tangible steps.

Ending Aggression as a First Step
Addressing the steps required to restore security and stability, Dr. Gargash said the first must be an end to aggression in all its forms. “It is not possible to negotiate a new future while threats and aggression continue at the same time,” he said.

Dr. Gargash said decision-making circles in Iran need to view the Gulf states from a different perspective, one based on respect for sovereignty and non-aggression, while moving away from the use of militias to threaten the security of countries in the region or attempts to impose new realities in strategic waterways.

He said countries in the region could play a role in helping Iran move beyond its current crisis and restore its economic and development trajectory, but this would first require a realistic approach based on de-escalation and stable relations with neighbouring countries. “The UAE has defended itself and will continue to defend itself, while at the same time extending a hand of friendship and keeping the door to dialogue open,” he said.

Open Channels of Communication
His Excellency also discussed the meeting between His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, saying it reflected the UAE’s approach of protecting its national interests while keeping channels of communication open.

Dr. Gargash described the meeting as “very good”, noting that while they did not have complete agreement on all the ideas and issues discussed, there was recognition of the importance of moving beyond the current phase and looking to the future in a way that serves the interests of the UAE, Iran, Arab countries and the wider region.

His Excellency also highlighted what he described as “moderate Iranian voices” calling for an end to attacks on Gulf states, saying they represented “a voice of reason in a time of crisis”. Such voices, he added, can contribute to finding political and diplomatic ways out of crises, whether they are the primary decision-makers or part of the wider decision-making process.

Deterrence and Diplomacy
Dr. Gargash said a country’s internal strength is the first element in its ability to protect its security and sovereignty, praising the capabilities and readiness of the UAE Armed Forces. “The UAE did not choose this war, but when the war affected its core interests, it defended itself,” he said.

Saudi Arabia’s Security is Integral to the UAE’s Security
Addressing UAE-Saudi relations and developments concerning the Kingdom’s security, Dr. Gargash said Saudi Arabia’s security is an integral part of the UAE’s security, stressing that the security and stability of GCC countries are closely interconnected.

“A stable and successful Saudi Arabia is in our interest. Anything that affects the Kingdom’s security ultimately affects our own,” he said.
His Excellency added that the same principle applies economically, stressing the need to move away from a “zero-sum” approach, as the prosperity of one Gulf country benefits the wider region.

UAE Rejects Targeting of Makkah
Addressing attempts by the Houthis to carry out attacks, Dr. Gargash reaffirmed the UAE’s categorical rejection of any attempt to target Makkah or any part of Saudi Arabia.

He said the region has long suffered from the consequences of militias and weapons operating outside state authority, whether in Lebanon, Iraq or Yemen, stressing that the UAE’s position is based on supporting the nation state and strengthening its institutions.

Weapons outside state control, he said, do not serve the security of the country concerned but instead become a tool for undermining regional security and stability.

Bab Al Mandab Strait, an International Waterway
On attempts by the Houthis to threaten navigation through the Bab Al Mandab Strait, Dr. Gargash said international straits and waterways are governed by the principles of freedom of navigation and the safe flow of trade.

Any attempt to control the Bab Al Mandab strait or threaten shipping through the waterway is a matter of serious concern, he added, as the consequences would extend beyond the region to the global economy, international trade and supply chains.