Gulf countries gear up diplomacy to stave off US-Iran escalation

"Behind the scenes, Saudi Arabia has reportedly been lobbying the US administration to refrain from striking Iran, while Qatar and Oman have been focused on diplomatic outreach between Iranian and American officials. The three countries shifted into high-gear diplomacy to de-escalate tensions after reports on Wednesday suggested that contact between Washington and Tehran had broken down, raising fears that an attack was imminent, observers said."

"They were all concerned because all traditional channels [between the US and Iran] were not being utilised, at least from the US side, said Anna Jacobs Khalaf, a Gulf analyst and non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute. GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] officials didn't know what the US intentions were, said Muhanad Seloom, assistant professor in critical security studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies."

"Tensions escalated after Trump repeatedly threatened military action in Iran over the bloodshed taking place there. Authorities in Iran say that more than 100 security force personnel have been killed in clashes with protesters, while opposition activists say the real toll includes more than 1,000 protesters, since demonstrations erupted in late December. Al Jazeera cannot independently verify these figures. Trump called on Iranians to take over state institutions, promising that help is on the way."

Arab Gulf nations sought to avoid the chaos that a US attack on Iran or the collapse of the Islamic Republic could generate. Gulf states watched nervously as nationwide protests engulfed Iran while the US president threatened military action. Saudi Arabia reportedly lobbied the US administration to refrain from striking Iran, and Qatar and Oman focused on diplomatic outreach between Iranian and American officials. The three countries moved into high-gear diplomacy after reports suggested contact between Washington and Tehran had broken down. Analysts and GCC officials warned that traditional channels were not being utilised and that US intentions were unclear. Authorities and activists reported divergent casualty figures amid heightened regional concern.

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