Saudi, Qatar, Oman, Egypt Step In as Iran Protest Fuels US-Iran Tensions

Iran Protest Triggers Regional Diplomatic Push : Four Arab states engaged in serious diplomacy with the United States and Iran this week to prevent a possible US attack on Iran over Tehran’s use of force against protesters, which they feared could have wide regional consequences, according to a Gulf official.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Egypt were involved in negotiations for more than 48 hours until US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he had decided against a strike for the time being, citing a decline in killings linked to the Iran protest unrest.

Arab States Warn US of Fallout From Iran Protest Escalation

The four countries informed Washington that any strike on Iran would have far-reaching ramifications for regional security and the global economy, ultimately affecting US interests as well, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.

They also warned Iran that any retaliatory attack on US facilities in the Gulf would seriously damage Tehran’s relations with neighboring countries.

Limited Official Responses Amid Iran Protest Tensions

Requests for comment were not immediately answered by Saudi Arabia’s international media office, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, Oman’s Information Ministry, or Egypt’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

The United Arab Emirates, which was not directly involved in the diplomacy described, also did not immediately respond to questions regarding whether it had taken part in any related efforts.

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Behind-the-Scenes Pressure Over Iran Protest Crisis

The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman had pressed Washington to avoid military action.

According to the source, diplomatic efforts focused on lowering rhetoric and preventing any military escalation that could further destabilize the region. These efforts could eventually pave the way for talks on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Regional Rivalries and Iran Protest Fallout

While Oman and Qatar have historically acted as mediators between Iran and the West, Saudi Arabia and Egypt—both US allies—have had more strained relations with Tehran.

However, after decades of rivalry that fueled proxy conflicts across the Middle East, Iran and Saudi Arabia reached a normalization agreement in 2023, with Riyadh keen to prioritize economic stability.

Gulf Security Concerns Amid Iran Protest Unrest

Gulf governments remain concerned that US military bases in their countries could be targeted in any Iranian retaliation, along with oil infrastructure critical to the regional economy.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar maintain strong ties with the Trump administration, while Qatar and Egypt have worked closely with Washington to mediate the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.