DUBAI: 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 on Tuesday.

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