The agreement came one day after Saudi Arabia agreed to reopen its borders and airspace to Qatar for the first time since the blockade began. Qatar has been paying an estimated $100 million annually to route planes through Iranian airspace, money that the United States was eager to see halted as it was seen as propping up Tehran’s faltering economy. The regional divisions had wider implications, fracturing mutually dependent nations and leaving the United States caught between allies that it relies on for oil and military bases, while hindering attempts by the Trump administration to further isolate Iran. Prince Mohammed had hinted at reconciliation in a statement Monday, saying that the meeting was intended to “close the ranks and unify the stance” of the Gulf countries. He also thanked the United States for its mediation efforts, and then took aim at Iran.

Source: bd News24 January 05, 2021 18:22 UTC