"Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and Oman urged Donald Trump not to launch airstrikes against Iran in a last-minute lobbying campaign prompted by fears that an attack by Washington would lead to a major and intractable conflict across the Middle East. The warnings of chaos from the longstanding US allies appear to have helped persuade Trump late on Wednesday to hold off for the moment on a military assault."
"Iran remains politically apart from the Gulf states, partly owing to its continued support for its weakened network of regional proxies, known as the axis of resistance, and its refusal to back a two state-solution for Palestine as well as disputes over three islands in the Gulf claimed by the United Arab Emirates, a claim backed by the Gulf Cooperation Council."
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and Oman lobbied the US to refrain from airstrikes on Iran because of fears of a wider, intractable Middle East conflict. Those warnings contributed to President Trump delaying any immediate military assault, and Saudi Arabia denied US use of its airspace for attacks. Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke by phone with counterparts from Iran, Oman and Turkey to continue discussions. Iran remains politically distant from many Gulf states due to support for regional proxies, rejection of a two-state Palestine solution, and territorial disputes, though Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has pursued visits to Arab capitals to improve ties.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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