Turkish foreign minister holds talks with UAE president in Abu Dhabi

2026-03-21 - 10:09

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has met with the president of the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi, diplomatic sources confirmed, as Ankara intensifies diplomatic efforts to address the widening conflict in the Middle East. The meeting between Fidan and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan took place in the Emirati capital, though no further details regarding the content of their discussions were immediately released. The talks are part of a broader regional tour by the Turkish foreign minister aimed at engaging key actors amid escalating hostilities that have reshaped security dynamics across the Gulf and beyond. The diplomatic outreach occurs against a backdrop of heightened military activity in the region following the joint US-Israeli offensive against Iran that began on February 28. In a related development, the UAE Defense Ministry disclosed on Friday that since the conflict’s onset, Emirati air defenses have intercepted 338 ballistic missiles and 1,740 drones. The ministry also reported that six civilians have lost their lives, while 158 others sustained injuries, including nationals from the UAE, Egypt, and Türkiye. Fidan’s regional tour reflects Türkiye’s active diplomatic posture as neighboring countries grapple with the spillover effects of the Iran-Israel confrontation. Tehran has launched retaliatory strikes targeting Israel and locations in Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states hosting American military assets, prompting Gulf nations to bolster their air defense capabilities and engage in intensive diplomatic consultations. The Turkish foreign minister’s visit underscores the importance of coordination between Ankara and Gulf capitals in navigating the volatile security environment. Türkiye has maintained close ties with the UAE in recent years following a period of rapprochement, with both nations seeking to promote regional stability and de-escalation amid the unfolding crisis.