Mohammad Saleh Sedghian, in an interview with the Foreign Relations Strategic Council website, highlighted the significant shift of Persian Gulf countries toward diplomatic support for Iran and condemnation of the Zionist regime and U.S. actions. He noted that by deepening diplomatic ties with Persian Gulf states and seeking their support for negotiations without military intervention, Iran can strengthen its regional position and benefit from the further isolation of the Zionists. These developments may signal the emergence of a new regional order in which Iran’s cooperation with Arab countries will help reduce tensions and enhance stability.

A Paradigm Shift in Persian Gulf Countries’ Policies

Mohammad Saleh Sedghian emphasized: *”The 12-day war, marked by the Zionist regime’s aggressive attacks on June 12, 2024, and the U.S. direct intervention on June 22 against Iran’s nuclear facilities, became a turning point in the policies of Arab states in the Persian Gulf. Contrary to the initial expectations of Tel Aviv and Washington, Arab governments, particularly members of the (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Council, not only refrained from supporting the Zionist regime and U.S. attacks but firmly condemned them.”*

According to the West Asia analyst, “This condemnation was evident in two key conferences—the Arab Foreign Ministers’ Conference and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. In both gatherings, statements issued during the peak of the conflict blamed the Zionist regime for violating national sovereignty and destabilizing the region.”

The head of the Arab Center for Iranian Studies views this stance as the beginning of a new Arab diplomacy and a sign of a paradigm shift in Persian Gulf countries’ perspectives towards the Zionist regime. He explains that these nations, which once saw Iran as the greatest regional threat, now identify the Zionist regime as the primary source of instability. This shift, which began during Donald Trump’s first term following the normalization agreements (Abraham Accords), intensified with the recent military actions by the Zionists in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran.

The head of the Arab Center for Iranian Studies added: “The missile attack on the Al-Died Air Base in Qatar, in response to the U.S. aggression against Iran’s nuclear facilities, caused no damage to Qatar but provoked reactions from Persian Gulf states. Although these countries, particularly Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, issued statements condemning the actions as contrary to regional security and stability—with the UAE expressing grave concern over the attacks’ impact on regional peace—Iran’s precise and astute diplomacy prevented a crisis in Tehran’s relations with Arab states.”

The senior West Asia analyst stressed that “the U.S. and the Zionist regime’s exploitation of military bases and territorial sovereignty in the region has deeply concerned these countries, as it not only violates their national sovereignty but also exposes them to danger.”

Sedghian believes that “through its operation against Al-Udeid, Iran sent a clear message to the U.S. while respecting Qatar’s independence. However, this move also conveyed a separate message to Persian Gulf states—that any future conflict could target U.S. bases in the region.”

The head of the Arab Center for Iranian Studies further stated that “Iran’s relations with Persian Gulf countries, particularly Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, were on a path of improvement before the war, and this trend was reinforced during the conflict through timely, precise, and intelligent diplomacy.”

He pointed to “phone calls between Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim, and the UAE’s Sheikh Zayed, as well as discussions between Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi with their Arab counterparts after the Al-Udeid attack. All these communications emphasized regional security and non-interference in Persian Gulf affairs. They were welcomed by these countries, especially Qatar, which played a key mediating role in de-escalating tensions and strengthening its close ties with Iran.”

Considering this, Sedghian suggests that “the foreign minister should prioritize a tour of Arab countries in the region, as his trip to Persian Gulf states could be a crucial step in repairing and strengthening relations after the Al-Udeid attack.”

The head of the Arab Center for Iranian Studies believes that “these countries, recognizing the importance of regional stability, are prepared to cooperate with Iran to prevent further escalation.”

The senior West Asia analyst also highlighted “the potential of Persian Gulf Arab states to facilitate constructive negotiations on equal footing between Tehran and Washington, which could enhance peace and stability across the region.”

Future of the Abraham Accords and Isolation of the Zionist Regime

Regarding the impact of the 12-day war on the Abraham Accords and Arab-Zionist relations, Sedghian stated: “This agreement, formed during Trump’s first term to normalize Arab-Zionist relations, has been severely weakened after the Gaza war and recent attacks on Iran. Statements by Arab officials, such as Turki Al-Faisal, who called for targeting Dimona instead of Tehran, reflect these countries’ shifting stance toward the Zionists. In reality, Persian Gulf states now view the Zionist regime not only as an unreliable partner but as a threat to regional security. This aligns with The Washington Post’s recent report, which described the Zionist regime as the primary destabilizing force in the region.”

From this analyst’s perspective, “Netanyahu’s efforts to create a new Middle East dominated by the Zionist regime have faced resistance from Arab states, and recent reports of increased pressure on Lebanon and Syria to join the Abraham Accords will not alter this equation. These countries, once driven toward normalization with the Zionists out of fear of Iran, have grown more cautious due to the regime’s military actions and unconditional U.S. and European support for it.”

The West Asia analyst emphasized: “This shift, combined with Iran’s efforts to strengthen ties with Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, presents an opportunity to reshape regional diplomacy. However, the fragility of the current ceasefire and the presence of U.S. military bases in the region still pose risks of renewed tensions.”