DUBAI – Iran’s deadly crackdown on protesters and US warnings of intervention are being closely watched by neighbouring countries in the Middle East. Here is how the crisis is regarded by some of the region’s key players: Iran’s long-time foe Israel has openly backed the protesters and expressed optimism about possible regime change, without suggesting it would intervene. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he hoped Iran would soon be freed from what he called the “yoke of tyranny.” “When that day comes, Israel and Iran will once again be loyal partners in building a future of prosperity and peace for both peoples.
The people of Israel and the entire world are in awe of the tremendous courage of Iran’s citizens, he said. Foreign minister Gideon Saar expressed similar support for the protesters, saying “we think they deserve freedom.” The arch-enemies fought a war in June that saw unprecedented Israeli attacks on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, as well as US strikes.
An Israeli military official said on Sunday that the army was following current developments in Iran and “preparing defensively.”
“We will be equipped to respond with power if need be,” the official said in a statement.Israeli military spokesman Effie Defrin said the armed forces were “on alert for surprise scenarios if required,” but cautioned against “rumours.”
“The protests in Iran are an internal matter,” he posted on X. Iran has repeatedly accused the United States and Israel of inciting the unrest and trying to undermine the Islamic republic’s national unity.
US ally Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic ties with Iran in a China-brokered deal in 2023, ending a seven-year rupture.
During US president Donald Trump’s first term, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were supportive of his hawkish policy towards Iran. But Gulf sentiment began to change after the US failed to provide significant backing following attacks blamed on Tehran and its allies, according to analysts. It also followed a pivot in Saudi policy as it pursues a push to diversify its oil-reliant economy. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Riyadh has led lobbying efforts alongside Oman and Qatar to keep the Trump administration from striking Iran. Saudi Arabia has no desire to see Iran’s government fall. “The complete collapse of the regime could unleash chaos, causing more harm than good, and could be exploited by various parties with ill intentions towards Saudi Arabia,” Saudi analyst Hesham Alghannam said on X. Like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates was once fiercely critical of Iran, but has pursued a detente in recent years. The UAE, which sits right across the Gulf sea facing Iran, has prided itself for being an oasis of peace and security in a tumultuous Middle East. It relies on foreigners, who make up roughly 90% of the population, to grow its economy. Meanwhile Qatar, a key Gaza mediator which is close to both the US and Iran, was drawn into the previous round of conflict between them. On June 23, Iran targeted al-Udeid base in Qatar, the biggest US base in the Middle East, in retaliation for US strikes on nuclear facilities. On Tuesday, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari told reporters that any US-Iran escalation would have “catastrophic results” for the region.
– Nampa/AFP
