Kuwait Leads (P)GCC Outreach to Iran

Kuwait has started consultations on regional conflicts with Iran on behalf of the (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Council.

Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah made the announcement on Friday, without elaborating further.

“No date has been fixed for bilateral meetings yet, but the two countries are exchanging messages to inform Tehran of (P)GCC views [on regional developments],” IRNA quoted him as saying.

The discussions follow December 6 statements by Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Iran, in which he stressed the need for “constructive dialogue” between the (P)GCC and the Islamic Republic.

Addressing the 37th (P)GCC Summit in Manama, Sheikh Sabah said the talks should center on “abidance by international law, including sovereign rights”.

Iran and several Persian Gulf Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia, are at odds over various conflicts in West Asia, notably in Yemen and Syria.