By Yousef SABA

RIYADH (Reuters] – The Saudi Arabian Gulf Arab Summit urged Iran Tuesday to adopt concrete measures to relieve tensions and reiterated a call for the inclusion of the region in negotiations between Tehran’s nuclear powers and other global powers.

Before the last communique was published, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia had informed the annual meeting of Gulf leaders that Iran’s nuclear and missile programs should be dealt with “seriously” and “effectively”.

Direct talks between Iran, the United States and Russia to renew the 2015 nuclear agreement were initiated in April. However, they stopped after Ebrahim Raisi was elected. The Iran negotiating team has returned from Vienna after a five month hiatus with an uncompromising position.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Faisal al-Saud said that there was some Iranian stalling, and that this could lead to more progress. He spoke at a press conference following the summit.

He stated that although the Gulf states would prefer to participate in talks, they are open to “any mechanism” to address their concerns. This includes Iran’s regional proxy.

Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia is vying to be the next big thing while Shi’ite Iran and Shi’ite Iran vie for power in a rivalry which has been reflected in recent events in Yemen and Lebanon. The rising influence of Iran-backed Hezbollah has strained Beirut’s Gulf ties.

Riyadh, the United Arab Emirates and Iran are both engaging in dialogue in order to manage tensions during a period of growing uncertainty in the Gulf over America’s role in the region. This is also as countries producing oil focus their attention on economic growth.

Prince Faisal stated that the talks have not seen any “real changes on the ground”, but that “we’re open and we’re willing to work together”.

Iran’s President has stated that his priority in foreign policy is to improve relations with Gulf neighbors.

SOLIDARITY

In a gesture of solidarity, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia visited the Gulf to show support for the summit. This was almost a year after Riyadh ended a three-1/2-year Arab boycott against Qatar.

Saudi Arabia, non-Gulf Egypt and Bahrain have restored diplomatic ties to Doha. However, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain are yet to do so. Abu Dhabi is making efforts to repair relations.

Four boycotting countries had claimed that Qatar supported Islamist militants. Doha refuted this accusation.

Saudi Arabia, UAE and other countries have moved away from aggressive foreign policies and adopted a more conciliatory approach in their efforts to win foreign investment.

Following the establishment of relations with Israel, last year’s deterioration in relations between Iran and Turkey led to UAE acting faster.