UAE says Iran territorial dispute won't hit trade

The United Arab Emirates said on Monday a dispute with Iran over three Gulf islands will not hit strong trade ties between the two major oil exporters, and reiterated its call for a peaceful solution to the issue.

Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum also said his country, a US ally, will not oppose Iran's nuclear program if it convinced the world the plans were peaceful. Disputes "over national borders have never prevented trade and human exchange", Sheikh Mohammed said. "Trade relations between any two nations always lead to better relations and facilitate the resolution of conflicts." (Reuters)