As Iran visits Gulf states to scrounge up support in the face of what many believe is an impending strike by Israel, Reuters reports that Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar are lobbying Washington to thwart Israel.

On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told the media that the country was seeking support from Gulf nations to de-escalate tensions.

Diplomatic sources cited by The National described the visit as an attempt to defend Iran’s position in the war and to prevent a wider regional conflict.

Speaking to Reuters three unnamed Gulf sources said Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar are concerned that Israel will target Iranian oil facilities and that other Gulf assets could also come under fire by Iran or its proxies.

All three Gulf countries are refusing to let Israel use their airspace, with Reuters reporting that Tehran warned Riyadh earlier this week that it could not guarantee the safety of the Kingdom’s oil facilities in the event of an Israeli attack. 

“The Iranians have stated: ‘If the Gulf states open up their airspace to Israel, that would be an act of war,” Reuters quoted a Saui analyst close to the royal court as saying.  

On Monday, media reports citing Israeli officials appeared to indicate that a significant counter attack is still coming, and it is expected to target Iranian military sites. The fresh report also lists as likely targets Iranian intelligence sites and officials’ offices or headquarters. President Biden has warned against striking Iran’s nuclear sites, and even days ago backed off the idea of hitting energy and oil facilities. 

A full-scale conflict between Israel and Iran could upend the international energy supply and send shock waves throughout the global economy, experts warn.

“Major disruption of regional oil and gas exports is likely to have a material impact on the global economy,” Farzan Sabet, senior research associate at the Geneva Graduate Institute, told RFE/RL on Wednesday. 

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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