A phone call from US President Donald Trump to his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, last November has reignited tensions between two key Middle Eastern allies, according to reports. The call followed Trump’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Washington, during which the president indicated he would act on Sudan.
The New York Times reports that Trump informed the sheikh that the crown prince had asked him to impose sanctions on the UAE over its alleged support for armed rebels in Sudan’s civil war. A Saudi official disputed this, claiming the request was for sanctions on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia rather than the UAE directly.
Regardless of the exact wording, the call triggered a deterioration in relations between the two Gulf states. Tensions peaked in December when Saudi Arabia bombed a shipment of Emirati weapons reportedly destined for Yemen, according to the report.
A White House official denied that the crown prince had asked for sanctions on the UAE but declined to provide further details. The State Department did not comment. The feud poses a diplomatic challenge for the US, as both nations’ support is crucial for American policy in the Middle East, particularly regarding Iran and Gaza.
President Trump has personal business ties to both countries. An Emirati investment firm reportedly invested in his family’s cryptocurrency company, while the Saudi sovereign wealth fund has partnered with Jared Kushner’s private equity firm. Asked about the rift, Trump said he could “get it settled very easily”.
The episode also undermines Trump’s repeated claim to have “ended eight wars” since returning to office, as many conflicts remain unresolved. Meanwhile, his administration has taken a more aggressive stance elsewhere, including strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and tensions with NATO allies.
