US–Iran tensions ease due to intervention by Gulf countries

Washington / Tehran – Four Arab states intervened in a stand off between the United States and Iran  to prevent US attack on Iran.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Egypt were involved in the diplomacy over 48 hours before US President Donald Trump signalled on Thursday that he had ultimately decided against an attack for now, saying the killings in Iran were stopping.

The four countries had conveyed to Washington that any attack would have consequences for the wider region in terms of both security and economics that would ultimately impact the United States itself, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

The US and Iran stand face to face

In protest against the suppression of demonstrators in Iran, the United States had openly threatened military action against Iran. In response, Iran warned that it would “attack US military bases in the Gulf.” As a result, US personnel were evacuated from the Al Udeid air base in Qatar.

Intervention by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman

Under pressure from the Gulf countries, and based on assurances that “Iran will not execute protesters,” Trump changed his stance. He was told that an attack on Iran would prove “devastating” for the entire region.

At the same time, Iran was also warned that if it attacked US bases in the Gulf, its relations with regional countries would be permanently damaged.