UAE builds alternative trade, energy routes after Iran attacks, official says

The United Arab ​Emirates is building alternative routes for its energy ​exports and trade to ensure they are not "held hostage" by the ongoing war with Iran, UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said on Monday.

The conflict ‌has significantly ⁠impacted ⁠the oil-rich Gulf Arab states, including the UAE as Tehran fired ​missiles at the country and attacked its oil tankers in the Strait ​of Hormuz.

"Our energy exports will not be held hostage, nor will our trade and economic activity," Gargash told the ​Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi.


The UAE has ⁠been expanding ‌port capacity along its eastern coast, as well ​as ​pipelines, railways and trade routes for alternative corridors, ⁠he said.

Gargash added that while relations with Iran ​could be restored, rebuilding trust with its neighbours ​after the attacks may take decades.

"A functional relationship with Iran can and must be restored, but rebuilding trust is another matter," Gargash said.

The UAE, a critical economic lifeline for Iran, had suspended all financial and economic transactions with ‌the Islamic Republic in August, citing military escalation by Tehran and missile threats.

Gargash also criticised the ​Gulf Arab ​states for their response ⁠to the Iranian attacks, saying their collective action fell short.

"For many years we broadly agreed on the nature of the challenge posed ​by Iran," he said.

"The problem was therefore not a lack of understanding. Where we fell short in confronting this historic challenge was translating this shared understanding into sufficiently united and strategic response."