RIYADH – Saudi Arabia has called for urgent meetings of the regional GulfCooperation Council and the Arab League to discuss escalating tensions inthe region, the kingdom’s official news agency said on Saturday.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said King Salman had invited Gulf leaders andArab states to two emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss recent“aggressions and their consequences” in the region.
Tensions have soared in the Gulf, with the United States deploying anaircraft carrier and bombers there over alleged threats from Iran.
Saudi foreign affairs minister Adel al-Jubeir said his country does notwant to go to war with Iran, but was ready to defend its interests.
Riyadh “does not want a war, is not looking for it and will do everythingto prevent it”.
The United Arab Emirates “welcomed” Saudi Arabia’s invitation.
Four ships, including two Saudi oil tankers, were damaged in mysterioussabotage attacks last Sunday off the UAE’s Fujairah, located at the crucialentrance to the Gulf.
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That incident was followed by drone strikes Tuesday by Yemen’s Huthi rebelson a major Saudi oil pipeline, which provided an alternative export routeif the Strait of Hormuz closed.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to prevent shipping in Hormuz in case of amilitary confrontation with the United States, which has imposed sanctionson Tehran in recent months.
Jubeir said the UAE was leading the probe into the damaged oil tankers, butadded that “we have some indications and we will make the announcementsonce the investigations are completed”.
Despite international scepticism, the US government has been pointing toincreasing threats from Iran, a long-time enemy and also a rival of USallies Israel and Saudi Arabia.
SPA on Sunday said the Saudi crown prince spoke on the phone with USSecretary of State Mike Pompeo about efforts to enhance security in theregion.
