Middle East crisis International reactions

Chaos creates “painful dilemma” for Gulf states

The Gulf states have long tried to position themselves as a peninsula of peace, champions of diplomacy, an economic engine, an aviation hub and a growing tourist destination. That image was shattered during the tumultuous weekend and is confronting the Gulf states with their worst nightmare: being drawn into a war between Iran and Israel. This is reported by the French newspaper Le Monde.

In recent weeks, the Gulf states have publicly urged the US not to attack Iran, limited Americans’ ability to use their airspace and pushed for a diplomatic solution. All to appease Tehran. In vain.

This weekend, Iran attacked US military bases in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Now the Gulf states are facing a “painful dilemma”. Should they continue with the same line, which has proven to not work, or position themselves more clearly in the US and Israel’s corner? The latter could lead to further Iranian fury.

UN: No signs of nuclear facilities being hit

The UN Atomic Energy Agency IAEA states that it has received no indications that nuclear facilities in Iran have been hit in the attacks, says the agency's head Rafael Grossi.

He also says that the agency has not been in contact with those responsible in Iran, writes Reuters.

- We hope that this important channel of communication can be re-established as soon as possible, he says.

The situation is at the same time very worrying, according to Grossi, who calls for the greatest possible restraint after the attacks by Israel and the US and Iran's retaliatory attacks to avoid further escalation, reports AFP.

Trump on Iran's new leader: Has three very good names

Donald Trump has "three very good choices" when it comes to who will lead Iran in the future. However, he did not want to reveal any names in his six-minute telephone interview with the New York Times last night.

The newspaper describes it as the president giving a series of inconsistent answers about what the US vision for Iran looks like. When the NYT pressed him on what the transfer of power should look like, Trump suggested that Iran's Revolutionary Guard should lay down its weapons and "capitulate to the people".

Shortly afterwards, he said that the "perfect scenario" would be a solution like Venezuela, where the regime simply retains power, but without its front figure and with a greater willingness to cooperate. At the same time, his advisers have told him that Iran's size, culture and history basically make such a solution impossible.

- Everyone kept their jobs, except for two people, Trump says of Venezuela.

Minutes later, the president instead suggested that the people could take to the streets and overthrow the regime, which would be the direct opposite of the Venezuela solution.

Middle East Crisis  Opinions on
Experts: Trump's dream of a overthrown regime unlikely

The US attacks on Iran are unlikely to lead to the Iranian people rising up and overthrowing the regime. Several political scientists and Iran experts tell Politico.

Several of the experts agree with Donald Trump's dream of the people taking control of their future. But historically, airstrikes alone have never paved the way for regime change. In addition, Iran has a habit of crushing all resistance.

- To save pro-democracy protesters, you have to be there. You have to have troops on the ground, says political scientist Robert Pape, who has researched regime change.

Sanam Vakil, director of the think tank Chatham House's Middle East Program, believes that the Iranians are currently focusing more on digesting the situation and recharging.

- They will focus on their own survival.

New York Magazine is unimpressed by Trump's vague plans for regime change, which it describes as pure fantasy. "Magical thinking will not help the Iranians overthrow their government," the magazine writes.