The US President Donald Trump held phone talks on Thursday with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates, the White House said in a statement.

The two leaders discussed US “continued support for the United Arab Emirates’ national defense, strengthening alliances in the region, and the impact of the Administration’s crippling sanctions on Iran,” Reuters reported quoting the statement. 

“They also spoke about UAE’s contributions to the global energy markets as a reliable supplier of oil,” it said.