As Iran Braces for Israel's Response to Ballistic Missile Attack, Gulf States Seek US Intervention

New Delhi: A week after Iran launched strikes on Israel, the latter is bracing for ‘revenge’ and amid the rising tensions between the two nations, the Gulf States have urged United States to intervene and stop Israel from attacking the Iranian oil sites; the countries have also closed their airspaces.

Gulf States Seek US Intervention to Stop Israel from Attacking Iran

In an exclusive report, Reuters has been told how United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have been lobbying Washington to intervene and stop Israel from launching an attack on the oil sites of Iran. 

Reuters said that a person familiar with discussion in Washington has confirmed that the gulf states are in constant touch with their US counterparts and have expressed concern over Israel's possible strike on Iran.

In the Reuters report, Jonathan Panikoff, former deputy U.S. national intelligence officer on the Middle East and now at the Atlantic Council think-tank in Washington said: "Gulf states' anxiety is likely to be a key talking point with Israeli counterparts in trying to convince Israel to undertake a carefully calibrated response."

US President Joe Biden and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on a call during which both sides described an Israeli retaliation to Iranian strike, as positive. However, the White House has refrained from making any comment on this issue.

Gulf States in Crossfire as Iran Issues Warning for Saudi Arabia

According to the Reuters report, during meetings, Iran has issued a warning to Saudi Arabia saying that if they open their airspaces or provide any assistance to Israel in their attack, the safety of the oil facilities of the Gulf kingdom will not be guaranteed.

As per Reuters, Ali Shihabi, a Saudi analyst close to the Saudi royal court, said: "The Iranians have stated: 'If the Gulf states open up their airspace to Israel, that would be an act of war'.

The gulf countries are fearing being caught in the crossfire and are seeking US intervention to avoid their own oil sites being attacked. In an attempt to remain out of this Iran-Israel rivalry and avoid any sort of involvement, the gulf states have also closed their air spaces for Israel, refusing the country to fly over, to attack Iran.

Israel Braces for ‘Revenge’ from Iran Following Missile Attack

A week ago, Iran had launched a missile attack on Israel and the former had responded to that by promising ‘revenge’; Israel had vowed that ‘Iran will have to pay’ for their missile attack. Tehran had further responded by saying that retaliation will not be received quietly but would be met with destruction, hinting at a possible major war in the region.

In a meeting between Saudi de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, Israel's potential strike on Iran was the main topic of discussion.