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International Desk, May 30, 2025 : The United States finds itself in a diplomatic bind over the Iran issue, as tensions escalate in the Middle East. Israel is reportedly preparing to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, while three Arab nations—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates—have strongly opposed such actions, fearing retaliatory attacks from Iran. During a recent Middle East tour, U.S. President Donald Trump visited these three countries, where their leaders urged him to prevent any U.S. military action against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
The Arab nations’ concerns stem not from support for Iran but from the fear that U.S. or Israeli strikes could provoke Iranian counterattacks on their soil, where U.S. military bases are located. Iran’s military has already issued warnings, stating that the 50,000 U.S. troops stationed in the region are “sitting in glass houses” and should avoid provoking conflict. Tehran has also sent letters to countries hosting U.S. bases, explicitly stating that any U.S. or Israeli attack launched from their territory would trigger Iranian retaliation.
According to media reports, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, and Qatar’s Emir Tamim Al Thani expressed concerns to Trump that an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities could lead to Iranian strikes on their countries. The presence of U.S. military bases in these nations heightens their vulnerability.
In a significant diplomatic move, Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, recently visited Iran—the first such visit in over two decades. He delivered a confidential message from King Salman bin Abdulaziz to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, urging Tehran to prioritize nuclear deal negotiations with the U.S. to de-escalate tensions.
While the Arab nations have cautioned the U.S. against military action, Israel appears more determined to strike Iran. U.S. President Trump has reportedly warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against unilateral action, emphasizing that nuclear talks with Iran are progressing well. However, Iran has warned that any attack on Tehran would be met with a decisive response, sparing no one involved.
AI/MR
