Salehi “discussed ways of enhancing bilateral relations” and “matters of bilateral interest” with Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, who also holds the presidential affairs portfolio, Wam said.
Salehi’s surprise visit comes amid tense relations between Iran and the UAE over three disputed islands in the Gulf – Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb and the Lesser Tunb – with each country claiming ownership of the islands.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad triggered the fury of the UAE when he visited Abu Musa, the largest of the three islands, in April to reinforce Tehran’s claim. The head of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards visited them in May.
The UAE claims ownership over the islands in line with a 1971 agreement signed when Britain ended its colonial-era reign over that part of the Gulf. But Iran insists the islands have always been part of its territory.
The islands are strategically located in the Gulf, permitting control over access to the waterway, and Iran maintains a military base and airfield on Abu Musa.
In June the US backed the UAE’s claim of ownership, prompting anger in Tehran which accused Washington of interfering in Iranian domestic affairs.
