Middle East
22:34, 19-May-2019
Saudi calls for urgent Arab talks over Iran tensions
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Saudi Arabia has called for emergency regional talks to discuss mounting Gulf tensions, saying Sunday that it does not want war with Iran but is ready to defend itself.
King Salman invited Gulf leaders and Arab League member states to two emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss recent "aggressions and their consequences," the kingdom's official SPA news agency reported Saturday.
The announcement came days after mysterious sabotage attacks against several tankers in highly sensitive Gulf waters and drone attacks on a crude pipeline by Yemen rebels, which Riyadh claimed were carried out on Iranian orders.
Iran has denied its involvement in the attacks.
The United States has also deployed an aircraft carrier and bombers to the Gulf over alleged threats from Iran.
U.S. Marines prepare to land an MV-22B Osprey aboard the USS Lewis B. Puller in the Arabian Gulf, May 11, 2019. /Reuters Photo
U.S. Marines prepare to land an MV-22B Osprey aboard the USS Lewis B. Puller in the Arabian Gulf, May 11, 2019. /Reuters Photo
Saudi Arabia's minister of state for foreign affairs, Adel al-Jubeir, said Sunday his country does not want to go to war with Iran but would defend itself.
The kingdom's regional allies welcomed the Saudi invitation.
The UAE's foreign ministry said the current "critical circumstances" require a unified Arab and Gulf stance.
The meetings will be a "significant opportunity for the countries of the region to achieve their aspirations for establishing peace and stability," it said.
Source(s): AFP