Gulf States' Initiative to Prevent Potential War Between US and Iran

Gulf states are pursuing a comprehensive peace plan—covering the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the withdrawal of Houthi forces in Yemen—to prevent a new war between the US and Iran.

Gulf states are preparing a multifaceted peace deal to prevent a new conflict between the US and Iran. At the center of the plan is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz within four days following the lifting of economic sanctions, and the withdrawal of major Houthi forces within Yemen. Dr. Ali Bagheri, deputy secretary-general of Iran's national security council, stated that they are willing to reduce their proposal to open the strait from seven days after the lifting of sanctions down to four days.

While the US is kept informed of the progress in the talks, it is awaiting a concession proposed by European powers that could include Iran allowing UN weapons inspectors to return to the country. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, during his meeting in New York with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, asked for UN inspectors to be admitted, but Iran has so far taken a negative approach to this request, stating that it will only hold talks in principle on its nuclear program. European diplomats believe that visits by inspectors to nuclear facilities are a minimum condition to achieve a breakthrough with US President Donald Trump.

Diplomatic contacts are also ongoing between Iran and the conflicts in Yemen. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's supreme national security council, met with the Houthi ambassador to Iran, Ibrahim al-Daylami. This meeting took place a day after a high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan visited Tehran to discuss the Yemen crisis and a long-term security architecture for the region. In the meeting with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, Iran prevented the discussion of its nuclear program and shifted the focus to a broad regional security vision encompassing Gulf countries and Iran, which would reduce or end the US presence in the Middle East. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi expressed his belief that the US administration understands the region is moving in this direction.