Witkoff meets with UAE adviser

U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff met over the weekend in Sardinia with the UAE's national security adviser, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The parties discussed further steps regarding Iran.

Axios reports this, citing sources.

The UAE is a key U.S. partner in efforts to resume the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz and plays an important role in the campaign to exert economic pressure on Iran. Al Nahyan is considered one of the most influential figures in the Emirates. He is the brother of the country's president, Mohammed bin Zayed.

According to sources, Witkoff and the sheikh discussed possible further actions against Tehran, and also touched on other issues.

The meeting took place several days after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the launch of Operation Economic Outcast. It provides for the imposition of tough sanctions against countries cooperating with the Islamic Republic.

American officials reported that this week Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed all embassies to deliver a démarche in connection with Operation Economic Outcast. Countries were required to "immediately" halt any trade with Iran and close all branches of the Iranian banks Melli and Saderat, which Washington links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The statement says that countries, companies, and individuals that continue to do business with Tehran risk falling under sanctions and losing access to the dollar system. One of the American officials specified that the corresponding instruction was sent to U.S. diplomatic missions in Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Hong Kong, Doha, London, Berlin, as well as to a number of capitals of Central Asian countries.

Earlier, the UAE announced the suspension of trade and financial transactions with Iran.