Iran envoy visits Emirates in sign of warming ties

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — State media in the United Arab Emirates says Dubai's ruler has welcomed the Iranian foreign minister at his palace, a sign of warming ties between the two countries.

News agency WAM says Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed bilateral relations and regional developments Tuesday.

Sheik Mohammed is also prime minister and vice president of the UAE, an important U.S. ally.

Iran's official IRNA news agency says Zarif also met the Gulf federation's foreign minister, Sheik Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi. It is their third meeting since Zarif took office last year.

Iran and the UAE have longstanding trade ties but differ over several issues, including Tehran's control over three Persian Gulf islands claimed by both countries.