From the Guardian · · 2m
Oman calls for Iran in Gulf security pact, breaking US line
Oman's foreign minister says America's 50-year insistence that Iran is a threat blocks Middle East peace, as Saudi, Pakistani and Turkish officials visit Tehran.
In brief
Oman's foreign minister says America's 50-year insistence that Iran is a threat blocks Middle East peace, as Saudi, Pakistani and Turkish officials visit Tehran. Oman's foreign minister broke ranks with Gulf states by calling for a regional security pact including Iran instead of US-led arrangements, as high-level…
Oman breaks ranks on Iran
Oman's foreign minister Badr Albusaidi called for a non-aggression security pact involving all six Gulf states, Iran and Iraq, with the US no longer as primary security provider.
US insistence blocks peace
Albusaidi said America's 50-year insistence that Gulf states view Iran as a security threat has held back the Middle East's ability to solve its own problems.
High-level Tehran delegation
Defence and intelligence officials from Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia travelled to Tehran on Monday to prevent renewed fighting between the US and Iran.
Saudi minister in Tehran
Saudi Arabia's defence minister Khalid bin Salman visited Tehran weeks after Iran struck Saudi infrastructure and as Iran-backed Houthis continue sending missiles towards Riyadh.
External powers complicate issues
Albusaidi said issues like the strait of Hormuz become impossible to resolve because external powers define engagement terms while regional powers cannot take collective responsibility for their own security.
“issues such as the strait of Hormuz have become impossible to resolve because external powers continue to define the terms of engagement”
Iran excluded for 50 years
Albusaidi said Iran has been systematically excluded from regional security arrangements for half a century, leading to negative consequences and false perceptions of fundamental antagonism between Iran and Arab Gulf states.
Positioned as the threat
Albusaidi said the most damaging priority imposed on the region from outside was positioning Iran as the threat against which regional security had to be organised.
“Positioned as the threat against which regional security had to be organised”
February talks made progress
Albusaidi indirectly challenged Trump's case for attacking Iran by saying February talks between the US and Iran, which Oman mediated, were making significant progress and an agreement was within reach.
“making significant progress, and that an agreement was within reach”
Pact faces resistance and delays
A regional security pact including Iran will face resistance after Tehran's damage to Gulf economies, and may take months to negotiate, while not solving Washington's demand that Iran reopen the strait of Hormuz.
What to remember
Oman's foreign minister broke ranks with Gulf states by calling for a regional security pact including Iran instead of US-led arrangements, as high-level delegations from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey visited Tehran to prevent renewed US-Iran conflict.
