A meeting for détente in NYC
By Ebrahim Beheshti
Staff writer
Mohammad Irani, the former Iranian ambassador to Kuwait, and Massoud Assadollahi, an expert on Middle East affairs, agree on the significance of the upcoming meeting of foreign ministers from the eight Persian Gulf countries in New York City. They view this gathering as a major step toward enhancing security and fostering regional cooperation.
This inaugural meeting of foreign ministers includes representatives from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait, all members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as the foreign ministers of Iran and Iraq. The event is slated to take place in the coming days on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. UN Secretary-General Anthony Guterres has initiated and will host the meeting, a move that has received Iran’s positive response.
This forthcoming meeting follows a series of developments over the past year, particularly the rapprochement that occurred after Iran and Saudi Arabia normalized their diplomatic relations. Over the past four decades, the GCC member states have seen ups and downs in their relations with Iran, though Qatar and Oman have consistently maintained amicable ties with the Islamic Republic and have at times acted as mediators in disputes between Iran and other Arab nations in the region, as well as Western countries. With the recent restoration of relations between Tehran and Riyadh, Iran’s ties with the UAE and Kuwait have also thawed. While Bahrain has yet to appoint an ambassador to Iran, it has also adopted a more conciliatory stance towards Tehran.
Nevertheless, historical grievances, differing opinions on regional matters, and lingering misunderstandings still exist among these countries. Resolving these issues and fostering security and economic cooperation will likely require more time. However, what is crucial is that the nations of the region have collectively recognized, based on past experiences that dialogue is the preferred method for settling disputes and differences. A prime example of this shift is the normalization of relations between Tehran and Riyadh.
The looming meeting of Persian Gulf foreign ministers in New York signifies a significant and forward-moving step toward increased dialogue for resolving conflicts and addressing outstanding issues among these nations.
Speaking to Iran Daily, Irani notes that while discussions about holding such a meeting have occurred in the past, differences of opinion, especially from Saudi Arabia, have previously led to vetoes. “However, the meeting’s venue in New York City now presents an opportunity for these eight nations to take more decisive steps toward maintaining regional peace and fostering cooperation.”
According to Irani, the participating parties should focus on discussing areas of agreement, such as trade, economic relations, and the development of a collective security strategy. However, he acknowledges that security talks require special mechanisms, taking into account the unique considerations of certain countries.
Meanwhile, Assadollahi, also speaking to Iran Daily, emphasizes that Iran has consistently advocated for maintaining security in the region collectively, without the involvement of external powers. He sees the inclusion of Tehran in this meeting as a positive sign that the region’s countries are aligning their views.
However, Assadollahi cautions against expecting immediate results from the New York meeting, pointing out that, apart from Saudi Arabia, other GCC member countries have historically harbored concerns about Iran and Iraq, particularly during Saddam Hussein’s era. Moreover, he highlights the impact of tensions created by the US in the region, with the United States using regional instability as a pretext for its military presence.
“Achieving substantial results will require the continuation of more meetings, ongoing dialogue, and the establishment of clear guidelines.”
The presence of extra-regional powers in the Middle East is a reality. The United States has maintained a presence in West Asia for an extended period, and recently, China has shown a keen interest in developing relations with regional countries. However, their stances on joint meetings among regional nations differ. Assadollahi suggests that the United States is not enthusiastic about such meetings because it views efforts to strengthen regional peace as contrary to its interests and the justification for its military presence. “However, Washington does not publicly express this dissatisfaction.”
As an example, he highlights recent US measures, where, despite the normalization of relations between Tehran and Riyadh and a de-escalation process in the region, Washington has announced the deployment of additional military forces to ensure shipping security in the Persian Gulf.
Assadollahi points to an analysis by an Arab expert, suggesting that the United States did not come to Riyadh’s aid after Yemen’s Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities but is now seeking to send troops to secure shipping routes as the region moves toward peace.
Conversely, China’s position differs from that of the United States. China has cultivated relations with regional countries, particularly Iran and Saudi Arabia, to meet its energy needs and advance its development goals. It sees regional tensions as detrimental to its interests and the stability of energy supplies.
In their discussions with Iran Daily, both experts highlight the potential of the New York meeting to serve as a solid foundation for future gatherings. However, there are questions regarding whether these nations are planning to work out a comprehensive regional agreement and whether there is a genuine desire among them to sign such a pact.
Irani believes that the possibility of concluding a regional agreement at the current stage is unlikely.
“Each country has its own expectations, coupled with existing differences of opinion and rifts among them. Therefore, it’s unrealistic to anticipate the resolution of all these disputes through a single meeting in the short term.”
Assadollahi echoes a similar stance, emphasizing that the development of cooperation does not imply an immediate agreement, such as a security pact, in the near future. He suggests that such an expectation represents the least likely outcome among a series of positive regional developments.
According to Assadollahi, the more logical and traditional approach for Persian Gulf countries is to start by focusing on mutually agreed and readily achievable areas of cooperation. These could include improving relations among themselves, enhancing economic ties, promoting tourism, fostering cultural and scientific exchanges, and such.
Both Irani and Assadollahi, like many other experts, view the upcoming meeting as promising. They stress that achieving significant regional progress hinges on the continuation of these meetings. This path has been smoothed, and its momentum should not halt in New York; rather, it should continue to pave the way for future collaboration and understanding among the regional nations.