Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Persian Gulf bloc OKs military command
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia and its Persian Gulf neighbors wrapped up a meeting in Kuwait on Wednesday by agreeing to establish a joint military command, paving the way for tighter security coordination even as their regional rival, Iran, pursues outreach efforts in the wake of its interim nuclear deal.
The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council also agreed to lay the foundations for a joint Persian Gulf police force and a strategic studies academy, according to a summary of the group’s closing statement carried by the official Kuwait News Agency.
Iran agreed last month to freeze parts of its nuclear program in exchange for some relief from Western economic sanctions, but many in the Persian Gulf remain wary of Tehran’s intentions.
Saudi Arabia in particular sees a stronger Iran as a threat to its influence, and it and other Persian Gulf states are major backers of the rebels fighting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad, whose government is backed by Iran.
The Persian Gulf states have nonetheless voiced cautious support for the nuclear deal — a theme they reiterated as a bloc in Wednesday’s closing statement. They also welcomed Iran’s “new approach” toward the council and expressed hope that it would lead to “concrete steps in order to reflect positively on peace, security and stability of the region.”