US seeks ‘peaceful’ coalition to deter Iran
DUBAI: The United States said yesterday it was building a coalition to deter Iranian threats following last weekend’s attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities.
However, Iran’s foreign minister questioned those plans.
‘‘Coalition for Peaceful Resolution?’’ Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted, then listed eight diplomatic initiatives by Iran since 1985, including a peace plan for Yemen in 1915, and a regional nonaggression pact for the Gulf region proposed earlier this year.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US wanted to build a ‘‘coalition aimed at achieving peace and a peaceful resolution’’. Iran has warned US President Donald Trump against being dragged into a war in the Middle East and said it would meet any offensive action with a crushing response.
Pompeo was speaking after talks with Saudi and Emirati leaders over the September 14 strike that the US and Saudi have blamed on Iran.
Pompeo did not provide details about the coalition. However, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Britain and Bahrain have said they will participate. Iraq said it would not join, and most European countries have been reluctant to for fear of stoking regional tensions.
Pompeo described his proposed coalition as ‘‘an act of diplomacy’’ while Zarif told CNN yesterday Iran ‘‘won’t blink’’ if it had to defend itself against any US or Saudi military strike.
Oil prices, which soared following the attack, steadied after Saudi Arabia pledged to restore full oil production by the end of this month.
Saudiled forces launched a military operation north of Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah yesterday, saying it had destroyed four sites used in assembling remotecontrolled boats and sea mines to help protect the freedom of maritime navigation.
Yemen’s Houthis accused the coalition of a ‘‘dangerous escalation’’ in Hodeidah. Their spokesman said it threatened a ceasefire in the port.
In spite of the tensions, the US issued visas yesterday allowing Zarif and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. — Reuters