Leaders in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates all opposed the strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities during President Trump’s recent visit, encouraging him to continue pushing for new nuclear deals, three sources with knowledge of the talks told Axios.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed and Qatar Emil Tamim al-Thani all told Trump they were worried that their country would target Iran’s retaliation if Iran’s nuclear sites were attacked. All three host US military bases.
According to a source with direct knowledge, Al Thani told Trump that the Persian Gulf Coast state would be more affected than anyone else in such a scenario.
Saudi Arabia and Katalis have expressed particular concern about Israel’s military strike against Iran. The United Arab Emirates also said it prefers diplomatic solutions.
All three leaders have expressed support for Trump’s negotiations, U.S. officials say. Saudi Arabia, Katari and Emirati officials declined to comment.
Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he had warned Netanyahu over a phone call last Thursday against ordering a strike on Iran’s nuclear facility.
Iran and the US held talks for the fifth round of Tehran’s nuclear program in Rome’s Italian capital on Friday. Just like in the previous round, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragut and President Donald Trump’s regional mission, Steve Witkov, led the negotiation delegation in consultation.
Earlier in May, former US Secretary of State John Kelly emphasized that the Israeli administration cannot destroy Iran’s nuclear program.
Speaking to CNN, John Kelly touched on ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington and the threat of Zionist regime officials attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“I hope he (Trump) gets the best deal possible. I hope he gets the deal… I’m glad the President is pursuing that. I think it’s really important.”
Kelly also emphasized that in itself Israel does not have the capacity to terminate Iran’s nuclear program.
“They (Israel) could hurt it and could damage it significantly,” he argued, adding, “But it would launch a process of much greater danger in many ways for everyone in the area.”
Iranian officials have responded strongly to the threat of the Israeli regime, emphasizing that Israeli adventurism will be met with a quick response.
On May 26, Iran’s Army commander Major General Abdulrahim Musavi said that if the Islamic Republic makes another mistake, it is fully prepared to carry out a decisive strike.
“The Zionist regime is too weak to undermine Iran’s grandeur, while the power of the Islamic Republic can pose serious challenges for Israel and its supporters,” Musabi emphasized.
“Even their own officials understand that they cannot withstand such challenges. But any misstep is possible because the current ruler is a stupid child killer.”
“If they are in a hurry to receive another ‘true promise’, we are fully prepared to give the right blow. ”
Last year, the Islamic Republic demonstrated its military power in the true Promise I and II operation, in which a retaliatory strike was launched in response to Israel’s invasion.
The operation, carried out using hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones, demonstrated the ability to attack Iran’s sensitive Israeli military and intelligence targets with surgical accuracy.
Iranian officials emphasize that the country deployed only a small portion of its firepower during double retaliation.
MP/