Iran seeks Gulf political support ahead of Israel's retaliation

Foreign Minister visits Saudi Arabia and Qatar as Iran braced for an attack that could further increase tension in the Middle East

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signing a book during an official visit in Riyadh. AFP

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that Tehran is seeking the support of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other nations in the Middle East to de-escalate tensions ahead of a vowed Israeli retaliation on his country, which could further exacerbate the conflict in the region.

Mr Araghchi visited Riyadh and Doha as part of a regional tour aimed at “defending” Iran's position regarding the war with Israel, according to diplomatic sources who spoke to The National on the condition of anonymity.

The sources added that part of his trip is aimed at seeking "political support" from key Gulf and Arab countries to "reach a ceasefire in Gaza and stop the war in Lebanon and prevent a wider war in the region".

In Doha, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei reported "important consultations on the regional situation and bilateral relations" between the Iranian Foreign Minister and the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

"It is only responsible for all states to maximize their efforts to shield our region against an imposed catastrophe by stopping genocide in Gaza and aggression on Lebanon," Mr Baghaei wrote on X.

According to a statement published by Qatar's state media, the two sides "reviewed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them, and discussed the latest developments in the region, especially in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, in addition to several of topics of mutual interest".

The Qatari PM "stressed the need for concerted regional and international efforts to reduce escalation and avoid the expansion of the circle of violence in the region", affirming "in this context the State of Qatar's full readiness to do everything possible to enhance security and stability at the regional and international levels", added the statement.

Doha, which has been playing a key role in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations, was Mr Araghchi’s second stop after Riyadh.

On Wednesday, he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan for discussions, during which they called for an end to the wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

“Very important discussions on critical issues of common concern with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.” Mr Araghchi said on Thursday after his meetings in Riyadh.

“Israeli regime is dragging the whole region into a catastrophe. Insight, wisdom, courage and co-operation are what the region needs to overcome this challenging time.

“Together, Iran and Saudi Arabia can help bring security and stability to the region. It requires an enhanced level of political will. I am happy to take the first steps on a long journey with my Saudi counterpart.”

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has repeatedly said that the kingdom would not recognise Israel without a Palestinian state and strongly condemned the “crimes of the Israeli occupation” against the Palestinian people.

Proportionate response

Iran, which supports militant groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen has accused Israel of committing genocide and war crimes in Gaza since the conflict began. Tehran has described the Hamas-led October 7 attacks on Israel as “a turning point in the history of the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people”.

Iran has long been accused by countries in the region of meddling in their affairs and destabilizing the Middle East. The country’s main foreign military arm, a unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps called the Quds Force, oversees the network of militant proxies and directs Iran’s foreign operations. This so-called Axis of Resistance has been under intense scrutiny since the Gaza war started a year ago, facing its biggest test of strength and unity yet.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Riyadh. EPA

But in recent weeks, the primary group within this axis, Hezbollah, has suffered significant setbacks, including the killing of its leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli strike. Many other senior leaders, along with Iranian operatives and Quds Force commanders, have also been killed, marking the force’s most severe intelligence and military defeats since the assassination of its former leader Qassem Suleimani in 2020.

Last week, Iran launched a barrage of between 180 and 200 ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Nasrallah. Israel said several airbases were hit but the attack appeared to do little damage to infrastructure, with military operations unaffected. Israel has threatened to retaliate, leaving the region on edge.

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke for the first time since August, as tension increases between the two with Israel believed to be planning a retaliation against Iran's missile attack.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant was due to visit the Pentagon on Wednesday to discuss Israel's operations. However, Israel scrapped the visit at the last minute as it continued its ground invasion of Lebanon and its year-long campaign in Gaza. Israeli media reported that Mr Netanyahu had wanted to speak with Mr Biden first.

Mr Biden, who has less than four months remaining in office, has said that he would not support Israeli strikes on Iranian oil installations or nuclear sites and has urged Israel to respond “proportionately”.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said a 30-minute call between the leaders was “direct, productive” and addressed a range of issues. She said Vice President Kamala Harris had joined the call.

During a visit to Beirut last week, Mr Araghchi said Tehran supported efforts for a simultaneous ceasefire in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon. The meeting between Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Mr Araghchi was fraught with tension, a diplomat who was present told The National.

Described as “extremely tense”, the discussions focused on Mr Mikati’s firm stance to decouple Lebanon’s situation from the Gaza conflict. He advocated the full introduction of Resolution 1701, emphasising that a ceasefire in Lebanon should not be contingent on a ceasefire in Gaza. Mr Araghchi strongly disagreed.

However, Hezbollah on Tuesday declared its support for a ceasefire with Israel without tying it to a truce in Gaza for the first time, signalling a significant shift in the group's stance after heavy setbacks, just hours before Mr Araghchi embarked on his regional tour, that includes Qatar.

Mr Araghchi's visit to Saudi Arabia was part of efforts to strengthen relations between Tehran and Riyadh after a China-brokered agreement in March last year when diplomatic ties were restored after a seven-year rift. Both countries have since expressed interest in advancing co-operation on security and economic development in a region plagued by decades of conflict and instability.

"Geography will always keep us neighbours. Our faith will always make us brothers,” the minister wrote on X.