Qatar Gets an Invite to Emergency Summits on US-Iran Tensions

Saudi Arabia has invited Qatar to two emergency summits on May 30 to discuss growing regional tensions between the United States and Iran. Representatives of the Arab League and Gulf Cooperation Council will meet separately in Mecca following numerous attacks this month on Saudi assets – including some located deep in the kingdom – attributed to the Islamic Republic and its proxies. Riyadh, in conjunction with the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Egypt, imposed a blockade on Doha in 2017 over its alleged support for the Muslim Brotherhood and close ties to the Iranian regime. Relations between the countries have since been rocky, although analysts suggest that Qatar could potentially act as mediator between regional Sunni states and Shi’ite Tehran. The move comes against the backdrop of a US military build-up in the Middle East, with the Pentagon slated to send an additional 1,500 troops to the region. US President Donald Trump, who has been beating the drums of war along with Iranian leaders, struck a more conciliatory tone Monday by reiterating his willingness to renegotiate with the mullahs the 2015 nuclear deal.