Gulf states form unlikely alliance with Israel

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At least two Gulf Arab states are reportedly working with Israel to lobby the Trump administration to continue the war on Iran to ensure an end to Tehran’s nuclear program, free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and an end of Iranian support for proxy terror groups.By World Israel News StaffIsrael is quietly cooperating with multiple Arab Gulf states in a bid to lobby the White House to keep up military pressure on Iran, with the goal of achieving several critical wartime goals, Israel Hayom reported on Thursday.The report cited three different diplomatic sources from the West and the Middle East who said at least two Gulf states are working with Israel to discourage the United States from entering into a ceasefire with Tehran without Iran agreeing to key concessions previously outlined by the Trump administration.According to the report, Israel and the Gulf states have presented Washington with a unified position: no ceasefire should be agreed before Tehran commits to shutting down its military nuclear project, handing over enriched uranium to the International Atomic Energy Agency, dismantling all related facilities under strict international supervision, and accepting severe limits on its missile program.The same position also calls for an Iranian commitment to end military hostility toward regional states, including through allied armed groups, and to guarantee completely free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.Israel’s open regional contacts are with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, while foreign reports cited in the article point to some covert contact with Saudi Arabia as well. Jordan and Egypt are also described as part of the broader regional discussion, with Egypt trying to position itself as a mediator between Iran and the United States.The unified Arab-Israeli diplomatic push intensified after President Donald Trump abandoned his 48-hour ultimatum earlier this week and announced that the US was engaged in talks with Tehran.A diplomatic source quoted by Israel Hayom said the White House is highly receptive to the joint Israeli-Gulf position and that the expectation is that no ceasefire will be reached without coordination with all the states involved, including Israel.The post Gulf states form unlikely alliance with Israel appeared first on World Israel News.