Gargash says political solution for Iran attacks should include reparations

CAIRO - Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the UAE's president, said on Sunday that any political solution addressing Iranian attacks on Gulf states should include Iranian reparations for targeting vital facilities as well as civilians.

“Any political solution addressing the Iranian aggression against the Arab Gulf states must include clear guarantees to prevent future violations, uphold the principle of non-aggression, and mandate Iranian reparations for targeting civilian and vital facilities as well as civilians,” he wrote in a post on X.

The statement comes as the Gulf region grapples with the fallout from Iranian strikes that have hit civilian infrastructure and population centres in several Gulf countries. Gargash described Tehran’s actions as “premeditated aggression” and accused Iran of misleading its neighbours before the escalation.

Gargash has consistently advocated for a political solution as the only path to sustainable regional security, while emphasising the UAE’s right to self-defence. In recent days he has pushed back against media interpretations of Abu Dhabi’s stance, insisting that defending national sovereignty remains a core responsibility even as the UAE continues to prioritise diplomacy.

The UAE, along with other Gulf Cooperation Council members, has faced direct threats to its energy facilities, airports and civilian areas in the latest round of Middle East hostilities, which have intensified following broader confrontations involving Israel, Iran and its proxies.

Gargash’s comments signal a hardening of the Gulf position in any future talks with Tehran. While the UAE has long positioned itself as a mediator in regional crises — including previous efforts between Washington and Tehran — officials now insist that any deal must deliver tangible accountability, including financial compensation for damages inflicted on civilian and critical infrastructure.

The remarks were widely reported across Gulf and international media and come as diplomatic efforts intensify to de-escalate the conflict, including regional summits and back-channel discussions.