Arab countries defended Iran before Trump

Concerns About Military Intervention in the Region


Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman have made active efforts to dissuade U.S. President Donald Trump from potential aggression against Iran, expressing concerns about possible serious consequences for the region. This was reported by "Zerkalo," citing AFP and its sources.

According to a senior official from Saudi Arabia, the three Gulf countries have taken persistent and even desperate diplomatic steps at the last moment to convince Trump to allow Iran to demonstrate its good intentions. Negotiations aimed at building trust and maintaining a positive atmosphere are currently ongoing, he added.

In addition, other Middle Eastern states are also trying to influence Trump, as reported by the Financial Times. Intense diplomatic efforts, including negotiations between Iran and the U.S. administration, have helped to reduce tensions in the Persian Gulf, sources close to Arab governments claim. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, and Turkey have urged Washington to exercise restraint, warning of possible negative consequences for neighbors in the event of a U.S. strike, including rising global oil and gas prices.

As reported the day before by The Wall Street Journal, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar assured the White House that any military operation could lead to turmoil in oil markets and negatively impact the U.S. economy. According to Saudi officials, Riyadh assured Tehran that it would not participate in a potential conflict and would not allow the U.S. to use its airspace for strikes.

In turn, Tehran assured Trump that it does not plan to execute protesters and that the number of casualties from the suppression of protests is not as high as reported, FT adds.

According to an Iranian official who spoke to Reuters on Tuesday, the total number of dead, including both protesters and security personnel, is about 2,000. However, observers report that this figure may exceed 2,500. One video shows numerous bodies in bags lying outside a morgue in Tehran.

Trump and members of his administration have repeatedly hinted at the possibility of a military operation, promising protesters that "help is on the way." On Wednesday, personnel and aircraft were withdrawn from a military base in Qatar, where about 10,000 American troops are stationed. Additionally, the U.S. decided to redeploy an aircraft carrier strike group from the South China Sea to the Middle East, raising concerns about a potential strike on Iran.

However, on Wednesday evening, Trump stated in the Oval Office that he received assurances that Iran had stopped killing protesters and does not plan executions.

According to the Financial Times, hopes are growing that dialogue between Tehran and Washington, possibly with the mediation of third parties such as Russia or Oman, could lead to further negotiations in the coming days.

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