The United Arab Emirates are becoming an increasingly powerful partner for U.S. interests in the Middle East as President Donald Trump seeks to curb Iran and its “Axis of Resistance” against Israel.
Trump emphasized the friendship at a Washington meeting with UAE National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon, underlining that they are “partners in the work to bring peace and security to the Middle East.”
Sheikh Tahnoon, who met with senior U.S. officials and business leaders, is also hoping to secure a $30 billion AI infrastructure fund.
Why It Matters
The Trump administration views Gulf allies, especially the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as key partners in the Middle East. Through the Abraham Accords initiative normalizing relations between Israel and several Gulf and Arab states, including the UAE, the U.S. strengthened regional alliances to counter Iran’s influence.
Additionally, the U.S. collaborated with these allies in the fight against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, saying it aims to stabilize the region and curb Tehran’s reach.
UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Abu Dhabi, on February 19, 2025.
UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Abu Dhabi, on February 19, 2025.
Photo by EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
What To Know
President Trump hosted UAE National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the White House and hosted a dinner banquet in his honor on Wednesday, in the presence of senior US officials.
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent emphasized to Sheikh Tahnoon the “importance of cooperation to curtail Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile efforts as well as its support for terrorists that destabilize the region,” a readout of the Tuesday meeting said.
Last week, Emirati diplomat Affairs Anwar Gargash delivered Trump’s letter written to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on his desire to negotiate a nuclear deal.
In the meantime, the UAE seeks to position itself as a global leader in AI technologies at a time of competition between the United States and China. The former U.S. administration of President Joe Biden had somewhat strained ties with the UAE over the latter’s relations with China and imposed restrictions on the export of AI chips to the UAE.
Sheikh Tahnoon, also the Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of MGX, an investment firm specializing in AI and advanced technologies, aimed during his Washington visit, to advance partnerships in these fields. He emphasized this in meetings with National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, tech billionaire Elon Musk, and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison.
MGX, along with BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and Microsoft, announced Wednesday that NVIDIA and xAI will join a new group called the AI Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), which is working to raise $30 billion from investors, companies, and other asset owners. With this money, they aim to help unlock up to $100 billion in total investments, including loans and financing, to support AI infrastructure projects, an announcement on MGX website said.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump on Truth Social: “Tonight, in the White House, I warmly welcomed UAE National Security Advisor H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan to meetings and a dinner with many notable, senior U.S. officials. The evening demonstrated the long-standing ties and bonds of friendship between our countries. UAE and the U.S. have long been partners in the work to bring peace and security to the Middle East and the World. Discussions also included ways for our countries to increase our partnership for the advancing of our economic and technological futures.”
UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed on X: “I discussed with
@elonmusk in Washington, D.C., the importance of artificial intelligence and advanced technology in developing more agile and responsive government systems that prioritize innovation in service delivery. We also explored avenues for collaboration in key sectors where AI and advanced technology can play a transformative role, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global leader in digital innovation.”
Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, UAE professor of political science, non-resident senior fellow at Harvard University, told Newsweek: “The reception that Sheikh Tahnoon got from Trump and his administration shows Washington’s deep respect and trust in the UAE. The U.S. values the UAE role it plays in bringing regional stability. The UAE is playing a mediation role between the U.S and Iran upon Tehran’s request and this is also convenient for the U.S.”
What Happens Next?
The UAE will play a key role at a time the United States and Iran are reaching a point of potential confrontation over Iran’s nuclear program as well as with the region looking beyond the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.