Saudi Arabia is proposing to its allies the idea of a non-aggression pact between Middle Eastern countries and Iran as part of consultations on how to manage regional tensions after the war, the Financial Times reported, citing diplomats.
The 1970s, which helped ease tensions in Europe during the Cold War, is seen as a potential model, two Financial Times newspapers said. Sources say the non-aggression pact is just one idea.
One Arab diplomat says that such an agreement, similar to the Helsinki Accords, would be accepted by most Arab and Islamic countries, as well as Iran itself, which he says has been trying for a long time to convey to the United States and the West the idea that the region must manage its affairs on its own.
Sources in the Financial Times said that the Saudi idea also received the support of many European capitals and European Union institutions, which urged other Gulf countries to approve it.
The Gulf states fear, as the Financial Times points out, that post-war Iran will remain in a weak state, but will still pose a threat to its neighbors – especially against the backdrop of a reduced American presence.
Since the beginning of the war between the United States and Israel with Iran, the Gulf states have essentially become hostages of the situation – they are exposed to attacks by Iranian drones, the skies above them were closed for a long time during active hostilities, which led to a crisis in the aviation industry and many other consequences. After a temporary truce was reached between the United States and Iran, but the Strait of Hormuz, the most important route for oil exports, remained closed, Donald Trump announced the launch of “Project Freedom”, in which the US military would escort commercial ships. However, less than two days later, the project was halted – according to NBC News – due to dissatisfaction with Saudi Arabia.