Gulf States Secretly Work to Avert U.S.-Iran War

A coalition of American allies in the Middle East has been engaged in a frantic, behind-the-scenes diplomatic campaign to prevent a military conflict between the United States and Iran, according to multiple sources and reports.

The effort, involving nations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, featured urgent high-level calls and secret missions aimed at convincing U.S. leadership against launching strikes. Their primary goal was to "lower the temperature" and avoid a regional war they fear would destabilize the entire Gulf [51712][51268].

These Gulf states, while long-time rivals of the Islamic Republic of Iran, privately warned that a U.S. attack would be counterproductive. They argued the consequences would hit neighboring countries first and hardest, potentially causing Iran's government to collapse and sparking uncontrollable ethnic conflicts that could spill over borders [50282][51099]. One analysis notes that despite viewing Iran as a security threat, these allies see open warfare as a direct danger to their own safety [51095].

The diplomacy reached a critical point when former President Donald Trump weighed military options. Key allies, including Turkey, launched a last-minute lobbying campaign, warning the White House that an attack could ignite a major war. Reports indicate Saudi Arabia took the extraordinary step of refusing to allow U.S. military aircraft to use its airspace for strikes, significantly complicating potential operations [51018][51095]. This collective pressure is cited as a decisive factor in Trump's subsequent decision to impose new economic sanctions on Iran instead of authorizing immediate military action [50942][51018].

Throughout the crisis, mediators like Qatar and Oman utilized their open channels with both Washington and Tehran. Qatar’s Prime Minister held an urgent call with Iran’s top security official, stressing the "necessity of reducing escalation" [49362]. Oman, known for its neutral diplomacy, has also been active in related regional talks [38484].

While the immediate threat of strikes has paused, tensions remain. The United States continues to bolster military assets in the region and has imposed new sanctions targeting Iran’s missile and drone programs [50888]. The situation presents a complex picture where active diplomacy works to calm tensions even as military posturing and economic pressure persist.