New Delhi: Saudi Arabia has pushed the idea of a “non-aggression pact” between Iran and West Asian nations, as Riyadh looks to find a long-term solution to the tensions in the region, amidst the growing differences with the UAE.
Riyadh has proposed the pact, in line with the Helsinki process that culminated in the accords named after the Finnish capital in 1975 between European countries and the then Soviet Union, to ease tensions across the continent, reported the British daily The Financial Times (FT) Thursday.
The daily notes that the pact is “one of various ideas” being considered to reduce tensions across West Asia once the ongoing Iran war comes to an end. Riyadh and other Gulf states have been concerned over Iran’s remaining arsenal of ballistic missiles and drones, which are currently not under negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
“Gulf states in particular have been concerned since the US and Israel launched the war against Iran that they would be left with a wounded, more hawkish Islamic regime on their doorstep once the conflict ends and the large American military presence in the region is scaled back,” reported the British daily.
The roughly 40-day war launched by the US and Israel against Iran has seen the security situation and alliances shift within the region. While Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are looking at all options and configurations to maintain security in the region, the UAE has sought to double down on the US security axis, buffeted by Israel in West Asia.
The differences between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have come out in the open in recent weeks, with the UAE even exiting the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Saudi Arabia’s proposal to engender a non-aggression pact between Iran and the Gulf states has found purchase with the European states, according to the British daily.
Iran’s retaliation focused on striking at the American bases and other assets across the region and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the international waterway that accounts for roughly a fifth of global energy supplies.
The UAE faced the brunt of Iran’s retaliation during the war. Over 2,500 missiles and drones were launched at the Emiratis. Abu Dhabi received an Iron Dome air defence system from Israel during the conflict, indicating the closer security partnership between the two countries.
While a number of Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, do not recognise or have formal ties with Israel, there was a normalisation process of sorts underway following the signing of the Abraham Accords between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi and a couple of other states in 2020.
“Some Arab and Muslim states have also become increasingly concerned about Israel’s military conduct in the wake of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack. Many do not have formal relations with Israel,” said the FT report.
The view amongst the other Arab states, apart from the UAE, is the responsibility incumbent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has in dragging the region to war by convincing US President Donald Trump to join with Tel Aviv’s strikes against Tehran.
Riyadh’s efforts to back the mediation efforts currently underway and led by Pakistan, has seen Islamabad’s potential as a net security provider in the region grow, according to the British daily. While Saudi Arabia has a defence pact with Pakistan, there are proposals being mooted by Islamabad to expand the defence pact to include Qatar and Türkiye.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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