Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar lobby DC to keep Gulf oil safe from Israel

As Iran visits Gulf states to drum up support for what many believe is an imminent strike by Israel, Reuters reports that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are lobbying Washington to counter Israel.

On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told the media that the country was seeking support from Gulf countries to reduce tensions.

Diplomatic sources cited by The National described the visit as an attempt to defend Iran’s position in the war and prevent a wider regional conflict.

Speaking to Reuters, three anonymous Gulf sources said Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar were concerned that Israel would target Iranian oil facilities and that other assets in the Gulf could also be attacked by Iran or its proxies.

All three Gulf countries refuse to let Israel use their airspace, with Reuters reporting that Tehran warned Riyadh earlier this week that it could not guarantee the safety of the Kingdom’s oil facilities in the event of an Israeli attack.

“The Iranians have said, ‘If the Gulf states open their airspace to Israel, it would be an act of war,'” Reuters quoted a Saudi analyst close to the royal court as saying.

On mondaymedia reports citing Israeli officials appear to indicate that a significant counterattack is still forthcoming and is expected to target Iranian military sites. The new report also lists Iranian intelligence sites and officials’ offices or headquarters as likely targets. President Biden has warned against striking Iran’s nuclear sites and even days ago rejected the idea of ​​striking energy and oil facilities.

A full-scale conflict between Israel and Iran could change international energy supplies and send shockwaves throughout the global economy, experts warn.

“Major disruption to regional oil and gas exports could have a material impact on the global economy,” Farzan Sabet, senior research associate at the Geneva Graduate Institute, told RFE/RL. Wednesday.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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