RIYADH: The Gulf states on Thursday demanded a role in any talks between the US and Iran to end the Midde East war.
“We emphasize the necessity of involving the GCC countries in any talks or agreements to resolve this crisis, in a way that contributes to strengthening their security and stability,” said Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Al-Budaiwi accused Iran of demanding payments from vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. He was backed by the maritime data company Lloyd’s List Intelligence, which said the strait was a “de facto toll booth.”
in apparently contradictory statements on Thursday, Donald Trump said Iran had to “get serious” about negotiations or face the consequences, and then insisted Tehran was desperate for talks to begin.
The US president said on social media that Tehran must negotiate an end to the war “before it is too late, because once that happens there is NO TURNING BACK, and it won’t be pretty!” Later, however, he told a Cabinet meeting: “They’re begging to make a deal, not me. They’re not fools, they’re very smart actually in a certain way. I say they’re lousy fighters but they’re great negotiators.” Iran had allowed 10 oil tankers to pass through the strait this week as a “present” to show it was serious about negotiations, Trump said.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US had tried to send messages to Iran through other nations, “but that is not a conversation or a negotiation.”
As Iran continued its attacks on the Gulf states, two people were killed by falling debris from a missile interception over Abu Dhabi. Israel said it had killed the head of the Revolutionary Guard’s navy, Commodore Alireza Tangsiri, and Iran’s naval intelligence chief, Behnam Rezaei.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Tangsiri was responsible for bombing operations that have blocked ships from crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
