Persian Gulf Arab states are not interested in war in the region and will urge the US to restrain Israel, according to Melkulangara Bhadrakumar, a former Indian diplomat and expert on international security. In an interview with TASS, he commented on the escalating Middle East conflict.
"No one in the region wants war. Unlike in the past, Arab states in the Persian Gulf are likely to request that the U.S. hold Israel back. They have no interest in a conflict involving Iran," Bhadrakumar stated.
He noted that the Indian government's assessment suggests the situation will not escalate into a full-scale military confrontation between Iran and Israel, and consequently, between Iran and the United States. Bhadrakumar highlighted the arrival of two Indian Navy ships and a Coast Guard vessel in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas for training exercises, indicating there is no serious threat of conflict.
Another key point raised by the expert was the difficulty Israel would face in launching airstrikes against Iran due to the need to pass through Jordanian, Syrian, or Iraqi airspace. "Arab states will certainly not allow this. Iran has made it clear to them that they should not permit Israel to use their airspace, so such an attack is unlikely to happen," Bhadrakumar emphasized.
On September 23, Israel initiated Operation "Northern Arrows" against Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, conducting extensive airstrikes on military targets. One of these strikes on September 27 killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. The Shiite group confirmed his death and vowed to continue resisting Israel. Early Tuesday, the Israeli army announced the start of a limited ground operation in southern Lebanon's border areas.
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Based on materials from TASS