TEHRAN — Less than a week into a key reconciliation pact with arch-foe Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic sent its security chief to the United Arab Emirates, where he was received by UAE's President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, in hopes of warmer ties, and unblocking Iran's assets .
According to the official IRNA news agency, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, sat down with Emirati national security adviser Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Thursday to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues. Shamkhani is the lead negotiator for Iran in the Saudi deal brokered by China.
"I do view this trip as a meaningful start for a new phase in political, economic and security relations," Shamkhani said. He expressed Iran's readiness for "constructive engagement" and called for "cooperation to replace hostility" in the Persian Gulf region.
The top security official was accompanied by Central Bank Governor Mohammad-Reza Farzin, who took the helm three months ago in the most turbulent period for Iran's national currency, which has been plummeting due to crippling international banking sanctions. From the UAE side the meeting was also attended by UAE's Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security Ali Mohammed Hammad Al Shamsi and others.
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