** A senior United Arab Emirates official has said he is cautiously optimistic that talks between the United States and Iran can still produce a deal and avoid renewed war, citing progress through Qatari mediation. Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, a senior UAE defence and foreign affairs official, said both sides could still build trust if they chose a political solution.

"We see some progress. … We hope that both sides will be able to reach a point where they will start building trust and engaging in a way to avoid the war, to find a political solution. … I am a little bit optimistic, but I don't exclude the other option," he told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview.

Mediation continues

His remarks came as Reuters reported on 5 November that Iran had submitted a new nuclear proposal to Washington through Qatar, while Tehran insisted the US meet seven conditions first, including sanctions relief and an end to the naval blockade. Qatar's prime minister said on Saturday that Doha's mediation was continuing, Reuters reported.

Preparing for both outcomes

Al Nuaimi stressed the Emirates was preparing for either outcome. "We plan for the worst. We hope for the best. … We always make sure that we are ready to deal with all the challenges or the threats," he said. More than 3,000 Iranian missiles and drones targeted the Emirates during the war, the Associated Press reported on 2 November, although no new attacks have hit the country since May.

He also distinguished Iran's government from its people, saying Iranians "deserve to be respected" and describing them as neighbours with "great values, great civilization". [Source: Fox News Digital](https://www.byteseu.com/2504113/) | [Source: Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/qatar-says-its-mediation-efforts-between-us-iran-continue-prevent-escalation-2026-11-07/)