ABU DHABI — UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash warned Monday that the fallout from the more than eight-month US-Iran war is likely to produce a prolonged period of regional uncertainty, with no decisive resolution or stable order guaranteed in the near term.

Speaking at the opening of the 13th Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate, organized by the Emirates Policy Centre under the theme “After the Storm: The Iran War Fallout and the New Rules of Power,” Gargash said the consequences of the conflict “may persist for a long time.” This, he argued, requires the UAE to sustain investments in defensive capabilities, maintain credible deterrence, and deepen international security partnerships.

“We should … prepare for a long period of uncertainty in which neither a decisive resolution nor a stable regional order can be taken for granted.”— Anwar Gargash, UAE presidential adviser

A comprehensive political settlement between the United States and Iran appears difficult, according to his assessment, echoing recent comments from US officials that a breakthrough is not imminent.

Gargash stressed that dialogue with Iran remains a strategic necessity rather than a concession. Iran will remain a neighbor whose geography cannot be changed, he noted, and both sides share interests in avoiding permanent confrontation, protecting sea lanes (including the Strait of Hormuz), and restoring predictability to relations. Any future talks, however, must be grounded in respect for sovereignty, non-interference, and a clear change in Iranian behavior after what he described as Tehran’s strategic miscalculation in attacking Gulf neighbors.

He framed deterrence and diplomacy as mutually reinforcing rather than contradictory. Deterrence’s purpose is to prevent further aggression while creating the political conditions for diplomacy to succeed. The UAE, which opposed the US-Iran war from the outset, has emphasized this dual approach throughout the conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes in late February 2026. During the fighting, the UAE faced approximately 3,300 Iranian missiles and drones.

Gargash thanked key partners for their support and solidarity, including the United States, France, Israel, Greece, Egypt, and India. He highlighted the importance of the UAE’s defense and security cooperation with Washington and noted that some countries assisted in defending against Iranian attacks earlier in the year.

The remarks come amid ongoing regional tensions, including continued Iranian-linked strikes and challenges to maritime security. Gargash indicated that near-term engagement with Iran and other partners may need to be pragmatic or transactional while longer-term efforts focus on rebuilding shattered trust through concrete actions. Deterrence paired with sustained diplomacy, he said, offers the most realistic path toward de-escalation.