The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) is slated to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Amwaj.media has learned. The senior Iranian security official will be hosted by his Emirati counterpart, National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan (TbZ). Shamkhani is also expected to meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MbZ).

The apparent stepping up of Emirati-Iranian engagement follows Shamkhani’s recent trip to China, where he led talks with Saudi Arabia that resulted in a Mar. 10 announcement that embassies will be reopened within two months. The latter agreement followed multiple rounds of talks in Iraq and Oman between Iranian and Saudi officials in 2021-22.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an informed Arab source asserted, “There was a plan [for Shamkhani] to travel to...