The New York Times published a report a few days back that has sparked a new diplomatic row in the Gulf, which discloses information about a private telephone conversation between former U.S. President Donald Trump and the UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in November of last year.
In the report, Trump informed the Emirati leader that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman requested him to impose sanctions on the United Arab Emirates because it was allegedly supporting the Sudanese civil war through its Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the country.
Although Saudi officials have not confirmed asking the UAE to impose any sanctions but mentioned that the kingdom wanted further action against the RSF itself, the political backlash of the reported conversation seems to have already further strained relations between two of the most influential powers in the Gulf.
A post highlighting the fallout and regional response to the reported phone call situation can be seen here (captures commentary and sentiment surrounding the Gulf diplomatic tensions)
A Private Call With Public Consequences
The phone call that was recorded on November has been widely reported; the initial version of the phone call story was released by The New York Times on February 27, 2026, and since that time, the story has been published in Middle East Eye, The Independent, The New Republic, and The Daily Beast among others.
The reports mention that Trump informed MBZ of an instance where Riyadh urged Washington to punish the UAE. The accusation allegedly concerns the position of the Abu Dhabi in Sudan civil war specifically allegations of supporting the RSF – a paramilitary outfit that is in a war with the Sudanese Armed Forces.
To the Emirati officials, the suggestion that a close Gulf ally sought American sanctions privately was perceived as a big betrayal. Although Saudi Arabia publicly dismissed the recommendation that it wanted direct sanctions on the UAE, the very revelation seems to have increased the existing strategic distinctions.
Sudan: The Flashpoint Behind the Rift
The fierce conflict in Sudan has become a proxy war to dominate the region. The RSF, which was initially comprised of the Janjaweed militias, has been indicted of engaging in extreme acts of human rights violations as the conflict has raged on destroying much of the country.
European allies and the United States have sanctioned individuals and parties that are associated with the Sudan war. Had Washington opted to impose sanctions against the UAE, it would have been the first step to the Gulf breaking with the U.S. relations.
Although the Saudi Arabia has put its stand as an attempt to reduce foreign aid to armed groups in Sudan, the impression in Abu Dhabi, courtesy of the comments made by Trump, is that the action was targeting the Emirates directly.
Old Tensions Resurface
The recent episode is placed on a background of smoldering strategic rivalry between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.
Aligned, in most cases, by major regional matters such as previous levels of the Yemen conflict, the two nations have in recent years split on oil production policy, regional economic leadership and strategies towards political transitions in the Middle East as well as Africa.
It seems the Trump phone conversation was a straw that broke the camel, and all the suspicions were revealed.
Implications for Yemen and Regional Stability
The possibility of tension between Saudi Arabia and the UAE has huge implications in Yemen where both states had been the key actors. Strategy there has already caused tension, especially in the case of accommodating different local groups and future political format of the state.
An even more pronounced divide might make diplomatic work more difficult, alter alliances and affect the security calculations down the Red Sea line.
Market and Political Fallout
In addition to the issue of security, the Gulf markets are also sensitive to demonstrations of disagreement between the regional heavy weights. Political stability in the GCC is also a close consideration to the investors, particularly as both Saudi Arabia and the UAE are driving grand economic diversification agendas.
Any prolonged decline in relations may impact multilateral projects, inbound and outbound investment flows as well as coordinated regional diplomacy.
A Defining Moment in Gulf Diplomacy?
There is still uncertainty whether the episode will result in a short-lived cooling of diplomatic relations or a more significant change in geopolitical orientation. The revelation about the phone call has however already changed the perception.
In the case of Abu Dhabi, the very fact that the sanctions were even discussed, in case it was correctly reported, is a serious question of trust in Gulf partnerships. In the case of Riyadh, balancing between the ability to wield regional influence and being able to keep its strategic alliances is a tight walk.
In a diplomatic world where back room deals are a commonplace conduct, this time a back room discussion has entered the public arena and the repercussions are still being felt in Sudan, Yemen and the Gulf region political arena in general.
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