Trump orders blockade of Iranian land transport as Houthis claim Saudis killed dozens in airstrikes | Live updates from Fox News Digital

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A senior United Arab Emirates official says he is cautiously optimistic about negotiations between the United States and Iran, citing progress made through Qatari mediation in recent days, even as fears of a new military confrontation continue to grip the Middle East.

“We are seeing progress. … We hope that both sides will be able to reach a point where they start to build trust and engage in a way that avoids war and finds a political solution. … I’m a little optimistic, but I don’t rule out the other option,” Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, chairman of the Defense, Interior and Foreign Affairs Committee of the UAE Federal National Council, told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview.

His remarks came as Reuters reported on November 5 that Iran had submitted a new nuclear proposal to Washington through Qatar.

Tehran, however, continued to insist that the United States meet seven conditions before negotiations can begin, including sanctions relief and an end to the US naval blockade.

President Donald Trump has not ruled out further military operations, while Iran has threatened broader retaliation if fighting resumes.

For the United Arab Emirates, which suffered thousands of Iranian missile and drone attacks earlier this year, the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough offers hope. But its leaders make clear that hope cannot replace preparation.

“We plan for the worst. We hope for the best. … We always ensure that we are ready to face any challenges or threats,” Al Nuaimi said. This combination of optimism and caution was evident during Fox News Digital’s reporting from across the Emirates, where daily life seemed remarkably normal despite the uncertainty surrounding the country.

One evening in downtown Dubai, restaurant terraces were crowded, tourists filled the streets and crowds gathered around a fountain show with music ranging from Arabic songs to Western pop hits.

This is an excerpt from an article by Efrat Lachter of Fox News.