US President Donald Trump has discussed Iran’s regional role, among other issues, in phone conversations with Saudi, Qatari and Israeli leaders.
Trump emphasized the importance of resolving a rift between Doha and a Riyadh-led Arab alliance in his Monday talks with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and with Saudi King Salman the next day, according to readouts published on the White House website.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut off travel and trade ties with Qatar last June, citing its close ties with Iran and alleged support for terrorism.
Qatar denies the terrorism charges and condemns the boycott as an attempt to undermine its sovereignty.
Trump also agreed in his Tuesday phone talk with Netanyahu to continue their cooperation on countering what the White House claimed were “Iran’s malign influence and destabilizing activities” in the region.
Iran denies accusations by Washington and its regional allies that its regional activities are destabilizing. The Trump administration has delayed until September a summit with the Persian Gulf Arab leaders planned for this spring.
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