Abu Dhabi, April 15 -- In a major diplomatic pivot, the United Arab Emirates and Iran have established their first high-level contact since the outbreak of hostilities in February.

UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a telephone call with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, signalling a cautious return to the negotiating table as a US-led naval blockade tightens its grip on the region.

The call, reported by the state news agency WAM, focused explicitly on "regional developments and ways to de-escalate tensions," marking a sharp departure from the hawkish rhetoric that followed Iranian missile strikes on Abu Dhabi and Dubai earlier this year.

Just six weeks ago, the relationship between Abu Dhabi ...