Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said in an interview Thursday evening that Iran's attack on the kingdom and other Gulf states caused a 'significant loss of trust' that has set back normalization, and that Gulf funds will not flow to Tehran in the near term. He noted that the nascent Beijing-brokered rapprochement was only beginning to explore economic cooperation when the attacks froze the process, and suggested a similar dynamic applies across Gulf Cooperation Council states.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, in an interview Thursday evening, sent a clear signal to Tehran: the Gulf's economic engagement with Iran is frozen after the Iranian attack on the kingdom and multiple Gulf Cooperation Council states. The prince stated that the attack created a 'significant loss of trust' between Iran and the Gulf countries, halting what had only been initial steps toward economic cooperation following the China-brokered normalization agreement. He emphasized that the exploration of potential economic cooperation and mutual investment had barely begun when the attacks occurred, and any revival will require a difficult conversation about rebuilding trust.
As The Zioneer reported Thursday afternoon, Prince Faisal had earlier that day said that Israel is part of the region and must be part of any regional dialogue, while warning that a purely military approach would harm Israeli interests in the long term. The new interview adds economic consequences to the diplomatic crisis, with the FM signaling that Gulf states are unified in their reluctance to renew engagement. The prince said he suspects 'this is also true for many of the Gulf Cooperation Council states.'
The remarks come amid a wider pattern of Gulf diplomatic pushback — Saudi Arabia has condemned Iranian strikes on Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait, and US officials including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have warned Iran that any damage to Gulf allies will be offset from Iranian funds. It remains unclear whether Iran's leadership will respond with its own overture or further escalation.
3 developments
- StrongSaudi foreign minister says reliance on US is over, as Trump 'cannot protect his own country'
- StrongSaudi Arabia calls for restraint; Iran vows to 'neutralize source of attacks'
- StrongSaudi FM tells Iran's Araghchi: Riyadh welcomes US-Iran military cessation agreement
- DevelopingSaudi Arabia condemns renewed Iranian strikes on Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait
Source and signal
- Internal intake