UAE presidential advisor Anwar Gargash stated that renewed military strikes by the U.S. and Israel against a “better-prepared” Iran risks triggering a regional war more destructive than previous rounds of fighting. Speaking at the IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Gargash said the Gulf is seeking a political off-ramp to the crisis, but noted that the UAE remains “braced for the worst” if diplomatic efforts fail to bridge the divide between Washington and Tehran.

The warning comes as Donald Trump maintains the U.S. has further targets in Iran and claims American forces could hit nuclear sites within 10 minutes, though he ruled out fresh strikes before Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections. Negotiations are ongoing in Qatar, where Tehran has indicated the Strait of Hormuz could reopen within two days of an agreement provided it receives sanctions relief and access to frozen funds. Gargash characterized the restoration of trade and energy flows through the Strait as a non-negotiable requirement for the region.