Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh arrived in Dubai on Monday at the invitation of his Emirati counterpart to attend the Dubai Airshow 2025.

Why it matters:

The visit is part of Iran’s defense diplomacy, aimed at strengthening regional ties and exploring cooperation opportunities. It shows Iran’s willingness to engage with Persian Gulf neighbors through defense diplomacy, potentially easing long-standing tensions.

 

 The big picture:

The 'Neighbors First  Policy' is a strategy Iran has adopted in recent years, as directed by Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

The Dubai Airshow, one of the world’s leading aerospace events, hosts hundreds of companies and official delegations this year.

 

Context:

With a large Iranian community in Dubai and strong trade links, defense diplomacy could complement broader efforts to stabilize relations between the two nations.

 

Go deeper:

Iran, UAE plan for $30 m trade annually

 

 

Hossein Amiri - seyed mohammad kazemi