Iran FM in Abu Dhabi amid rising regional tensions

Senior officials in the United Arab Emirates are holding talks with Iran's foreign minister amid growing Gulf accusations of political meddling by Tehran.

The official news agency WAM says Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi met Sunday with top UAE envoys as part of a tour seeking to ease tensions. Salehi last week visited Qatar and Oman.

Shiite heavyweight Iran has sharply criticized efforts by the Gulf's Sunni leaders to quell pro-reform protests, including sending a Saudi-led military force to aid Bahrain's monarchy in March. Bahrain's majority Shiites have since faced sweeping crackdowns.

Gulf Arab leaders plan to meet Tuesday in Saudi Arabia. The group strongly denounced Iran at its last gathering.