Gulf States and Turkey Issue Strong Warning to Trump: Iran Strike Could Spark Major Conflict
A last-minute lobbying campaign by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Oman has persuaded US President Donald Trump to hold off on airstrikes against Iran, citing fears that such an attack could lead to a major conflict across the Middle East.
The Gulf states, traditionally close allies of the United States, issued stern warnings to Trump, with Saudi Arabia denying permission for any US military operations from its airspace. The warning came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with his counterparts from the Arab countries, including Prince Faisal bin Farhan of Saudi Arabia, on Thursday.
Iran's complex relationships with the Gulf states have been a major factor in shaping their foreign policies, particularly over issues such as regional proxies and territorial disputes. However, recent efforts by Araghchi to improve relations through diplomatic outreach appear to be paying off, with visits to key capitals including Bahrain, Egypt, and Qatar.
The warning from the Gulf states highlights the risks of conflict escalation in the region, where maritime traffic is also vulnerable to disruption. Iran's proxy forces have been a source of tension, particularly in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen, but the Gulf states are wary of the potential benefits of an authoritarian regime being toppled by street protests.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called for dialogue, urging the US and Iran to resolve their differences through direct negotiations. The United States has recently taken steps to reassure Qatar, which was targeted in Israeli airstrikes last September, with new security guarantees designed to protect against further attacks.
The withdrawal of key personnel from the US Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar, which is home to the largest number of US military personnel in the region, underscores the vulnerability of American bases and the potential risks of conflict escalation. As tensions remain high, it remains to be seen whether Trump's decision will hold, or if a major conflict could erupt in the Middle East.
A last-minute lobbying campaign by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Oman has persuaded US President Donald Trump to hold off on airstrikes against Iran, citing fears that such an attack could lead to a major conflict across the Middle East.
The Gulf states, traditionally close allies of the United States, issued stern warnings to Trump, with Saudi Arabia denying permission for any US military operations from its airspace. The warning came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with his counterparts from the Arab countries, including Prince Faisal bin Farhan of Saudi Arabia, on Thursday.
Iran's complex relationships with the Gulf states have been a major factor in shaping their foreign policies, particularly over issues such as regional proxies and territorial disputes. However, recent efforts by Araghchi to improve relations through diplomatic outreach appear to be paying off, with visits to key capitals including Bahrain, Egypt, and Qatar.
The warning from the Gulf states highlights the risks of conflict escalation in the region, where maritime traffic is also vulnerable to disruption. Iran's proxy forces have been a source of tension, particularly in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen, but the Gulf states are wary of the potential benefits of an authoritarian regime being toppled by street protests.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called for dialogue, urging the US and Iran to resolve their differences through direct negotiations. The United States has recently taken steps to reassure Qatar, which was targeted in Israeli airstrikes last September, with new security guarantees designed to protect against further attacks.
The withdrawal of key personnel from the US Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar, which is home to the largest number of US military personnel in the region, underscores the vulnerability of American bases and the potential risks of conflict escalation. As tensions remain high, it remains to be seen whether Trump's decision will hold, or if a major conflict could erupt in the Middle East.
can't believe trump would even think about attacking iran... like what's next? china or russia getting targeted too? 
and the gulf states are right to stand firm against us military operations from their airspace, it's just basic diplomacy at play. turkey's call for dialogue is probably the most sensible thing said in this whole situation... let's hope trump listens and doesn't spark a major conflict 
? That's largely due to the withdrawal of personnel from their bases, including Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar 
. Meanwhile, Iran's influence in the region is on the rise, with reports showing a 25% increase in Iranian-backed militant activity since 2020 
. Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan making an appeal for dialogue between the US and Iran highlights the complexity of the situation 
. With tensions still high, it's essential to consider the long-term implications of any actions taken by Trump or his administration 
Saudi Arabia: 5,000 US troops 
Egypt: 1,200 US troops 
Jordan: 1,500 US troops 
i just hope trump makes the right call and doesn't spark another big mess in the middle east - think about all the ppl who could get hurt 
especially with iran's proxy forces in lebanon, iraq & yemen... we gotta stay calm & peaceful instead of resorting to more conflict 
. What's really going on here? Is Saudi Arabia trying to get their own interests back after they got caught with their hands dirty over Khashoggi's murder? 
I'm also worried about Turkey getting involved and calling for dialogue... can they really keep the peace in this volatile region? 