Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia has conveyed his nation's solidarity with Qatar and Kuwait, following recent Iranian attacks that have significantly heightened tensions in the Gulf region. This diplomatic outreach underscores Ethiopia's commitment to regional stability and its complex foreign policy.

On March 2, Prime Minister Abiy engaged in a phone conversation with Qatar's Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. During the call, Abiy inquired about the situation in Qatar and expressed Ethiopia's support amidst the unfolding developments. He reaffirmed Ethiopia's confidence in Qatar's ability to manage the repercussions of the attacks in a manner that safeguards its security and stability. The Emir of Qatar, in return, thanked Prime Minister Abiy for his sincere sentiments and solidarity, acknowledging the longstanding relations between their countries. Both leaders emphasized the critical importance of constructive dialogue and diplomatic engagement as the preferred method to de-escalate tensions and preserve regional peace.

This diplomatic initiative was closely followed by a similar outreach to Kuwait. Prime Minister Abiy held a telephone conversation with Kuwait's Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. During this call, Abiy strongly condemned the recent Iranian attack, describing it as an "atrocious assault" that violated Kuwait's sovereignty, airspace, international law, and the UN Charter. He reiterated Ethiopia's firm rejection of attacks targeting civilian facilities and expressed unwavering solidarity with Kuwait's leadership, government, and people in their efforts to safeguard the country's stability and security. The Crown Prince conveyed the appreciation of His Highness the Amir, Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie, thanking Ethiopia for its principled and unwavering stance, and Prime Minister Abiy for his sincere and fraternal initiative.

These diplomatic engagements highlight Ethiopia's continued focus on Gulf states, home to substantial Ethiopian communities, amidst the escalating regional tensions ignited by Iranian missile and drone attacks. Ethiopia's expressions of solidarity with Gulf nations are particularly noteworthy as they occur against the backdrop of its own recent deepening ties with Iran, illustrating a complex diplomatic balancing act that Addis Ababa endeavors to maintain.

Evidence of these evolving relations with Iran includes a visit by an Ethiopian parliamentary delegation, led by House Speaker Tagese Chaffo, to Tehran in December 2025. This visit, at the invitation of Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, included a tour of an exhibition showcasing Iran's defense industry achievements at the Ministry of Defense. The delegation also met with senior Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei, signaling growing parliamentary and political engagement between the two countries. Ethiopian lawmakers were briefed on Iran's latest defense sector developments and military technologies.

Furthermore, in May 2025, Ethiopia and Iran formalized security cooperation by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between their national police agencies. The agreement was signed in Addis Ababa by Ethiopia's Federal Police Commissioner General Demelash Gebremichael and his Iranian counterpart, Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Radan. This MoU provides for intelligence sharing, joint efforts to combat cross-border crime, and capacity building through training and exchanges, marking a rare formal policing collaboration between Ethiopia and Iran. These collective engagements demonstrate Ethiopia's multifaceted approach to foreign policy, actively cultivating relations across various regional axes, even as it articulates support for Gulf nations amid tensions involving Iran.