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A top Iranian transportation official visited the United Arab Emirates on Monday. The visit comes amid the rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia and signaled continued strong UAE-Iran ties.
Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash visited Abu Dhabi where he met the UAE’s Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan as well as UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazroui. Bazrpash was in the city for the Middle East Rain conference and discussed bilateral cooperation with the Emirati officials, according to the Emirates News Agency.
The purpose of the meeting was to boost bilateral trade between the two countries, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
Relatedly, Iran’s Chamber of Commerce reported on Monday that the two countries are discussing the establishment of a “direct container line” between Bushehr Port in southern Iran and the Port of Jebel Ali in Dubai. The purpose of the line will be to reduce transport times between the two countries.
Why it matters: Iran and the UAE maintain cordial relations, particularly in the economic realm. The UAE exported $6.5 billion in products to Iran in 2021. The top products were broadcast equipment, computers and essential oils. Iran exported $347 million in products to the UAE that year, with the top products being nuts, crustaceans and melons, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity.
Relations have strengthened further this year, including in the transportation sector. In March, Iranian and Emirati civil aviation authorities signed a cooperation agreement. Last week, the UAE-Iran Business Council held its inaugural meeting in Tehran, according to the Emirates News Agency.
Business ties between the two countries have come under scrutiny from the United States, which has sanctioned UAE-based entities for alleged Iran sanctions violations several times in recent years. Most recently, the United States sanctioned the UAE-based Swedish Management Co. SA. for allegedly engaging in transactions involving Iranian petrochemical products.
Know more: The UAE has long held cordial relations with Iran, unlike neighboring Saudi Arabia. In March, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to resume diplomatic relations in a deal brokered by China.
