How Iran lost from the Arab reconciliation after Al-Ula political earthquake

Eslam Mohamed

The Arab reconciliation between Qatar on the one hand and the countries of the Arab Quartet on the other contributed to a new economic blow to Iran, represented by stopping its obtaining revenues estimated at about $100 million annually, which Doha used to pay to use its airspace instead of other Gulf airspace it was banned from during the dispute.

It is also expected that Qatari imports from Tehran will be reduced, which had increased by fivefold in the year following the crisis after the reopening of the Gulf markets to Qatar, and in the event that both of these matters happen, the diplomatic relations between Qatar and Iran will be negatively affected.

Al-Ula political earthquake

The signing of the Al-Ula agreement was announced during the 41st Gulf summit, and it aims to end the boycott of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt against Qatar, which began in 2017.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has supported the reconciliation with the aim of securing a unified and broad front that includes the Arab and Gulf states in confronting Iran, making it difficult for any new American administration to negotiate with Tehran, conclude new agreements or return to the nuclear agreement with it without compromising its relations with this broad international gathering of shaking.

The interest of the Trump administration intersects with the interests of a large number of countries in the region, to increase Iran’s political and economic isolation in an attempt to counter its growing influence in the region and to form the widest possible front not only against the revival of the Iranian nuclear program, but also against the Iranian missile program, which raises the concern of many countries, and against any Iranian attempts to strike at regional stability by supporting, arming and financing some terrorist sectarian groups.

The United States welcomed the progress achieved with the announcement of the Al-Ula agreement at the summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, which represents a positive step towards restoring Gulf and Arab unity.

More stability in the region

For its part, the US State Department said, “We have always stressed that a truly united Gulf will achieve more prosperity through the free flow of goods and services and more security for its people. We welcome the pledge today to restore cooperation in military, economic, health, anti-corruption and cultural initiatives.”

On Wednesday, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham praised the outcomes of the Al-Ula summit and the Gulf consensus on the reunification, and Graham congratulated Trump and his team, led by advisor Jared Kushner, on the results of the Gulf summit and an end to the dispute between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Graham said on Twitter, “Iran is the biggest loser from the Gulf consensus, as it will not be able to benefit from the split within the Gulf Cooperation Council.”

On the other hand, Iran tried to pretend that ending the boycott did not harm it. On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif congratulated Qatar after announcing the signing of the Al-Ula agreement. He tweeted, “Congratulations to Qatar for the success of its courageous resistance to pressure and blackmail,” adding, “To our other Arab neighbors: Iran is neither an enemy nor a threat.”