DOHA: The current escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States, which has led to a military build-up in the region, is unlikely to lead to a large-scale military confrontation between the two sides, H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, has said.
In a series of tweets, he said the leaders of the region should protect the interests of the GCC and the Arab world while dealing with the Iran nuclear issue.
His reaction comes amid reports that the US government is sending Patriot missiles and warships to the Middle East, ratcheting up tensions in the region and raising fears that the tit-for-tat actions and rhetoric could spiral out of control into a military conflict.
“The current escalation in the Gulf region, which is supported by some GCC states, will not lead, as I see it, to a large-scale military confrontation with Iran. Rather, it aims to bring the Iran nuclear agreement between the US and Iran back to the negotiating table,” he tweeted.
“As I have said several times before, I do not agree with Iran on everything, and nor do I agree with the West on everything. But there are national interests involved for the GCC and the Arab world,” he added.
He also urged the region to be beware of the forces trying to destroy the GCC. “Those who are trying to destroy the GCC and undermine it are doing it for the benefit of others. This will only serve the interests of those who want to conclude new agreements with Iran. But we will abide by those agreements as we did before,” the former premier said.
He said that some Gulf countries are dreaming of Iran’s military defeat in the latest flare-up, adding that these are the same countries which supported the nuclear agreement with Iran when it was first signed, from which the US has partially withdrawn now. “Unfortunately, we (the region) are a minor party in this dispute that acts impulsively and without a vision that is guided by our interests,” he said.
The former Prime Minister also said that the situation in Syria could be a contributing factor in the current situation. The Iranian presence in Syria is a matter of great concern for Israel. “This will also be at the negotiating table in the talks between the US and Iran and will be one of the most difficult files,” he said.
US President Donald Trump had recently signed a proclamation officially granting US recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, a dramatic shift from decades of US policy.