Gulf States Engage in Urgent Diplomacy to Avert U.S.-Iran Conflict
Several key U.S. allies in the Middle East are working to prevent a military conflict between Iran and the United States through an intense diplomatic effort. According to a Gulf official, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and Oman are leading this initiative, aiming to reduce escalating tensions and avoid military actions that could destabilize the region.
Diplomatic Efforts and Key Messages
The focus of the talks is on de-escalating public rhetoric and urging the U.S. to abstain from military strikes against Iran. The concerns raised by these Gulf states underscore the potential for regional instability, which they fear could ultimately affect U.S. interests as well. The discussions have conveyed a clear message to Iran: any retaliatory actions against U.S. facilities in the Gulf could significantly damage Iran’s relationships with neighboring countries.
With thousands of American forces statistartd in the Gulf region, there are heightened fears of potential Iranian retaliation should the U.S. decide to act militarily. As a precaution, the U.S. has withdrawn some personnel from the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. U.S. embassies in Qatar and Saudi Arabia have also advised American citizens to avoid military installations.
“Collectively, there’s an agreement that if this spirals into armed military escalation, the consequences could be severe,” stated the Gulf official. Although tensions have temporarily eased, the coming weeks are considered critical.
U.S. Response and Current Situation
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt commented that many reports on Iran stem from anonymous sources and do not accurately reflect President Trump’s position. She emphasized that the president remains vigilantly monitoring the situation, keeping all options open regarding the U.S. stance on Iran.
President Trump has repeatedly warned of military action against Iran in response to its violent crackdown on ongoing protests within the country. In an interview, Trump stated that significant action would be taken if Iranian authorities proceed with extreme measures such as executing protesters. He has been briefed on a variety of options, including conventional airstrikes and cyber operations aimed at undermining Iran’s state communications.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, responded to these tensions by cautioning the U.S. against military strikes and encouraging U.S. officials to cease what he termed “deceitful actions.” In a recent sign of readiness for possible military engagement, Iran temporarily closed its airspace.
Despite these developments, President Trump suggested that a military strike may not be imminent, noting that reports indicate reduced violence in Iran. His response to whether military options remain available was noncommittal, stating, “We’re going to watch and see what the process is.”
Continued Diplomatic Engagement
On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi engaged in discussions with the Prime Minister of Qatar and the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, furthering the ongoing diplomatic campaign. This comes on the heels of a previous conflict involving U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which concluded in a ceasefire after nearly two weeks.
Currently, the focus of these diplomatic efforts is not a potential U.S.-Iran nuclear deal but rather on preventing further attacks and escalation. The goal remains to create a pathway for future discussions addressing broader issues, including relations surrounding nuclear agreements.
Contributions to this report by Margaret Brennan.