The UAE President on Wednesday accepted an invitation to visit Iran. The official WAM news agency said the date for the visit would be announced at a later stage.

THAW: Dubai Ruler Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum receives Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Dubai. (AFP)

Iran has tried to improve relations with Gulf countries in recent weeks following a landmark agreement on its nuclear program, which the GCC suspects is aimed at developing a weapons capability.

The invitation was delivered to the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, by Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during a meeting between the two in a palace in Al-Ain, in the east of the Emirates.

Sheikh Khalifa told his guest that the UAE welcomes the nuclear deal, stressing that his nation aspires for “strengthened security and stability in the region and cooperation between countries,” WAM said.

Zarif is in the UAE as part of a Gulf tour that has taken him to Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.

He said President Hasan Rowhani wishes to strengthen relations with Gulf countries, “stressing that Iran gives high importance to its relations with neighbors, especially the UAE,” WAM reported.

SOURCE: ARABNEWS