Russia calls for collective security in Gulf, US blames Iran

Russia’s foreign minister called for collective efforts Tuesday to prevent a large-scale war in Persian Gulf and got strong support from all Security Council members except United States, which called Iran major culprit and urged that it be held accountable for supporting terrorists and destabilizing region.

Sergey Lavrov told a high-level virtual council meeting that a worst case scenario was avoided earlier this year following U.S. killing of Iran’s top general, Qassem Soleimani, and warned that “ situation remains fragile and could become dangerous and unpredictable again.”

But Russia, which holds council presidency this month, believes that “if we work toger openly and impartially, and if we pool our political will and our creative potential, we will be able to help states of Persian Gulf overcome this difficult historic period and create an effective system of collective security,” he said.

Robert Malley, president of Brussels-based International Crisis Group, warned that “ regionwide conflict that w looms largest across globe is a conflict body apparently wants -- a conflict triggered by tensions in Gulf region.”

“It is far from inevitable," he said, but “a single attack by rocket, drone or limpet mine could set off a military escalation between U.S. and Iran and ir respective regional allies and proxies that could prove impossible to contain.”

“An inclusive, collective regional security dialogue aimed at lessening tensions may have only a small chance of materializing, and an even smaller chance of success, but under current circumstances it would be irresponsible t to give it a try,” Malley said.

re was short of ideas on promoting collective security from council members. U.S. allies Britain, France and Germany all supported confidence building measures in Gulf and stressed ir support for 2015 nuclear deal with Iran that President Donald Trump pulled U.S. out of in 2018, but y also sharply criticized Iran for destabilizing activities.

Two days after lifting of U.N. arms embargo on Iran over U.S. objections, French Ambassor Nicolas De Riviere urged possible weapons suppliers and recipients “to exercise utmost restraint and responsibility in considering consequences that possible transfers could have for regional security and stability, and to draw necessary conclusions.”

Britain’s acting ambassor, Jonathan Allen, said Iran has continued to transfer arms to regional groups and told council UK would work “to find a suitable solution to Iranian proliferation.” German Ambassor Christoph Heusgen criticized human rights violations in Iran, where, he said, “civilian and political rights are violated every day,” prisons “are most abhorrent in whole region,” and “religious mirities like Baha’i are persecuted.”

U.S. Ambassor Kelly Craft, meanwhile, dismissed any idea of collective security for Gulf, touting inste Trump ministration’s new approach to Middle East, including its key role in promoting diplomatic relations between Israel and United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Responding to Russia’s promotion of security for Persian Gulf, Craft said: “Respectfully, I think solution is much easier: This council must simply muster cour to hold Iran accountable to its existing international obligations.”

“ United States recognizes that Iran is single greatest threat to peace and security in Middle East,” she said.

She pointed to Iran's development of ballistic missiles and support for proxies in Yemen, Syria, Leban and Iraq, saying that “ United States will continue to hold Iran accountable, even if it means we must act alone.” “What makes America special is that we are unafraid to stand up for what is right,” Craft said. “And I don’t need a cheering section to validate my moral compass.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohamm Jav Zarif said U.S. deployment of nearly 50,000 troops in Persian Gulf in 29 military installations, with more than 300 combat aircraft, and its hundreds of billions of dollars of arms sales “have enhanced neir security of external powers, r of region.”

“We need collective efforts by regional countries to establish inclusive dialogue and security networking in this region,” he said.

“Orwise, we will all be engulfed in turmoil for generations to come.”

Zarif said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s proposal for a Hormuz peace and security initiative launched a year ago awaits a response from regional leers. Lavrov reiterated Russian President Vlimir Putin’s initiative to hold an online meeting of leers of five permanent Security Council members,  U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France along with Germany to discuss ways to bring peace to region.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said first step toward de-escalation is identifying viable confidence-building measures such as ways to combat coronavirus, promote ecomic recovery, ensure unhindered maritime navigation and arrange religious pilgrims. China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, proposed “a platform for multilateral dialogue for Gulf region," starting with incremental progress on energy, shipping, tre and or less sensitive issues.

“Dialogue will t be smooth sailing r will it reach its goal overnight,” he said. “But matter how long journey might be, step by step we’ll eventually reach destination. first step for dialogue, even a small one, will be one giant step toward peace.” 

(Im Credits: AP)