Saudi, Qatar, Oman & Egypt Lead Intense Diplomacy to Block US Strike on Iran

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Egypt have engaged in intensive diplomacy this week to prevent a potential escalation between the United States and Iran, Gulf officials told Reuters. The four Arab states lobbied Washington and Tehran to avoid military action, amid concerns that any US attack on Iran could trigger broader regional instability affecting security, economics, and US interests in the Gulf.

According to the official, the diplomatic push took place over 48 hours before US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he had decided against an immediate strike, noting that violence in Iran was easing. The Arab states reportedly warned Washington that an attack could provoke Iranian retaliation against US facilities in the Gulf while also cautioning Tehran that any aggressive response could further strain its regional relations.

The focus of the diplomacy, the official said, was on moderating rhetoric and avoiding military action that might spiral into wider conflict. These efforts could also pave the way for renewed discussions over Iran’s nuclear program, with Gulf states seeking to stabilize the region through dialogue rather than confrontation.

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Oman and Qatar have historically played mediator roles between Iran and the West, while Saudi Arabia and Egypt have had tense relations with Tehran. Nevertheless, the 2023 détente between Riyadh and Tehran has encouraged both sides to prioritize economic and strategic interests over old rivalries, creating an opening for cautious diplomacy.

Gulf states remain particularly concerned about the vulnerability of US military facilities and critical energy infrastructure in their territories. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt, which maintain strong ties with the Trump administration, have previously collaborated with Washington on mediation efforts, including in conflicts such as the recent Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman had actively lobbied the US against a strike. Meanwhile, spokespeople from the foreign ministries of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Egypt did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and the UAE, which was not involved in the reported diplomacy, also declined to confirm any engagement.

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