Including Iraq... a number of countries are moving quickly to prevent the outbreak of war between Ir

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[size=52]Including Iraq... a number of countries are moving quickly to prevent the outbreak of war between Iran and Israel[/size]

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04-15-2024
Gulf sources said that the countries of the region are seeking to prevent the outbreak of a comprehensive regional war, in the wake of the strikes launched by Iran on Israel for the first time since its founding, fearing that the new escalation will put it in the line of fire or be vulnerable to sabotage plans aimed at reshaping... Region.[/size]
[size=45]Saudi Arabia and the UAE in particular may be well placed to play a role between Iran, Israel and the United States after the diplomatic progress achieved in the past few years from which all of these countries have benefited, according to a Reuters report.[/size]
[size=45]The Gulf states, allied with Washington, are seeking to stabilize relations with Iran and Israel to put an end to long-standing security concerns so that they can focus on their internal projects.[/size]
[size=45]The UAE and Bahrain signed two agreements to normalize relations with Israel in 2020, and Saudi Arabia was studying a similar agreement that also included a defense agreement with the United States until the Gaza war toppled diplomatic efforts in this regard. Riyadh ended its disputes with Iran last year after they had existed for years.[/size]
[size=45]However, this policy of reconciliation is now facing its greatest threat ever after the danger to peace in the wider region reached its peak following the outbreak of war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on October 7.[/size]
[size=45]The scope of the direct war between Israel and Iran may quickly expand to include the Gulf states, whose airspace lies between the two countries, and which hosts several military bases for the United States, which has pledged to defend its ally, Israel.[/size]
[size=45]A Gulf source close to government departments said, “No one wants escalation.” “Everyone wants to contain the situation,” he said, adding that it was likely that large-scale diplomatic efforts were underway via phone calls.[/size]
[size=45]The source said, “The pressure is not on Iran alone. The pressure is now on Israel so that it does not respond,” adding that the repercussions of any Israeli attack on important Iranian sites “will affect the entire region.”[/size]
[size=45]Another Gulf source familiar with official views said that the Gulf states, Iraq and Jordan are urging both Iran and the United States, Israel's main backer, not to escalate. The two sources said that Washington is already pressuring Israel to exercise restraint.[/size]
[size=45]The informed source added that the United States is at the same time using the Gulf states to deliver messages to Iran not to continue escalation.[/size]
[size=45]The source said, “It is clear that the Gulf people are being used as a message carrier by the Americans and Iranians.” There is direct communication between Saudi Arabia and Iran to control matters.”[/size]
[size=45]Reuters requested comment from Saudi Arabia and the UAE on how they dealt with the crisis.[/size]
[size=45]However, sources and analysts in the Gulf believe that the most dangerous moment may have passed.[/size]
[size=45]Abdul Aziz bin Saqr, head of the Gulf Research Center, which is close to government departments, said, “The Iranians carried out their attack,” indicating that the escalation phase has ended for Tehran. He added that Washington does not want an escalation from Israel.[/size]
[size=45]* Risks[/size]
[size=45]Many incidents have occurred recently that remind us of the dangers facing the Gulf countries.[/size]
[size=45]Yesterday, Saturday, Iran announced the detention of a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which most energy exports from the Gulf states pass, and threatened to close all shipping lanes there.[/size]
[size=45]At the same time, the Yemeni Houthi group, allied with Iran, launches repeated attacks on shipping traffic and in recent months has launched drones towards Israel, far from Saudi airspace.[/size]
[size=45]Saudi Arabia fought the Houthi group for years until it took steps towards a peace agreement in December.[/size]
[size=45]The Houthis attacked major energy facilities in Saudi Arabia several times over the years before pushing forward peace talks last year, but they could still do so again.[/size]
[size=45]In 2019, the Houthis bombed major Saudi facilities that handle the majority of the kingdom's crude oil production, and in 2022 they attacked three trucks transporting oil in the UAE.[/size]
[size=45]The source said, “The price of oil will rise, affecting the movement of oil in the Strait of Hormuz. The price rises very significantly due to the decrease in the quantities supplied,” he explained, explaining the possible consequences in the event of a broader war in the region.[/size]
[size=45]Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of the Kingdom, has been trying for years to focus on his ambitious vision of developing huge projects in Saudi Arabia away from the geopolitical situation.[/size]
[size=45]Saudi analyst Aziz Al-Ghasyan said that the Queen's economic ambitions are at the heart of her efforts to achieve a breakthrough in relations with Iran, but he explained that the Kingdom is also still very concerned about the security situation.[/size]
[size=45]He added, “This is not just about projects in our prosperous region... It (Saudi Arabia) does not want to become caught in the crossfire between Israel, Iran, and the United States.”[/size]
[size=45]Al-Wefaq policies are already under pressure due to the war in Gaza.[/size]
[size=45]The UAE and Bahrain signed two peace agreements with Israel in 2020 within what is known as the “Abraham Accords,” and Saudi Arabia was considering following suit in exchange for American security commitments.[/size]
[size=45]Last year, Saudi Arabia and Iran ended a devastating, decades-long dispute that fueled tension across the region after they signed an agreement to restore diplomatic relations and avoid harming each other's interests.[/size]
[size=45]But the devastation in Gaza has hampered new moves toward peace with Israel, amid concerns in the Gulf over Iran's support for its Shiite allies in the region, who have targeted American bases in Iraq and elsewhere.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Ghasyan said that Riyadh and Abu Dhabi will be sure of the success of their policy if the state of reconciliation succeeds in allowing the Gulf countries to calm tensions in the region.[/size]
[size=45]He added, "If there had not been normalization and Saudi-Iranian rapprochement, Saudi Arabia would have become more concerned now."[/size]
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