Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif took to Twitter Sunday to announce that he held rare talks with his Emirati counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
"Just had a very substantive, frank and friendly video conversation with UAE FM," he said, adding that "we agreed to continue dialogue on the theme of hope -- especially as the region faces tough challenges, and tougher choices ahead."
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ran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on video call with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan
(Photo: AFP)
The UAE WAM state news agency reported that the two diplomats exchanged greetings for the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday and discussed the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in the region, with Iran on Sunday registering the highest number of new infections in about a month.
Bin Zayed emphasized "enhancing international cooperation, solidarity and synergy between all countries" to tackle the virus, WAM said.
The UAE downgraded its relations with Iran in January 2016 amid fierce rivalry between close Emirati ally Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic.
It came following the storming of Saudi Arabia's embassy in Tehran in response to Riyadh's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.
Tensions between Tehran and Riyadh and its allies also increased last year following a series of mysterious attacks on tankers in sensitive Gulf waters, with Washington blaming them on Iran. Tehran denied the charges.
Saudi Arabia and Iran, the region's two leading powers, back opposing sides in several conflicts, including in Syria and Yemen.