The Gulf states' expensive economic diversification plans rely on a peaceful environment for business and tourism, which is jeopardised by hostilities between Israel and Iran.
Much is at stake for the wealthy, US-friendly Gulf states, whose expensive economic diversification plans, aimed at securing their futures post-fossil fuels, rely on a peaceful environment for business and tourism.Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia has been the biggest spender, pledging hundreds of billions for new cities and leisure attractions as part of Prince Mohammed's flagship Vision 2030 economic transformation plan.
In Saudi Arabia's favour is its influence over the US -- which is pushing it to follow the UAE and Bahrain by recognising Israel -- and renewed ties with Iran, which were resumed last year after a lengthy rupture."Saudi will be definitely pushing for the US to pressure Israel for a ceasefire in Gaza and also to not respond to Iranian attacks," said Umer Karim, researcher of Saudi foreign policy and politics at Britain's University of Birmingham.
"That will make it very, very difficult for the United States to actually assist Israel in a potential offensive strike inside Iran," he added.