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April 25, 2026

UAE’s Gargash: Rebuilding Trust with Iran Could Take Generations After Attacks

Senior UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash has said that rebuilding trust with Iran could take ā€œages and agesā€ — potentially generations — following recent attacks during the Middle East conflict.

Speaking at a global policy forum, Gargash highlighted the scale of the damage, noting that thousands of missiles and drones were launched toward the United Arab Emirates. He stressed that a large proportion of these strikes targeted civilian areas and critical infrastructure, including energy facilities.

ā€œYou can’t be attacked with 2,800 missiles and drones and then talk about trust,ā€ Gargash said, underlining the severity of the situation and the long-term impact on diplomatic relations.

The remarks come despite ongoing ceasefire efforts and attempts at indirect diplomacy in the region. While communication channels remain open, UAE officials have indicated that future engagement with Tehran will depend on concrete actions rather than assurances.

Gargash also warned that Iran is now viewed as a long-term strategic threat across the region, with the recent conflict reshaping geopolitical alignments and security priorities in the Gulf.

Analysts believe the statement reflects a broader shift in regional dynamics, where trust-building will require sustained confidence-building measures, potentially over decades. The aftermath of the conflict continues to cast a shadow over peace efforts, making any rapid normalization unlikely.