The participation of Gulf Arab states in the NATO summit in Ankara coincided with developments between the United States and Iran on Wednesday, prompting US President Donald Trump to declare that, from his perspective, the ceasefire agreement between the two countries had ended.
Although the Arab states that are members of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative took part in the summit, the developments and violations between the United States and Iran, along with Iran's strikes on Gulf states, fuelled expectations that discussions would focus on the future of the Strait of Hormuz, freedom of navigation, and relations with Iran.
In the end, NATO final communiqué said, "The Alliance continues to respond and adapt to strategic competition, pervasive instability, hybrid threats, and recurrent shocks shaping our broader security environment. Allies reaffirm that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon and call on Iran to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz fully."
While the official outcome of the summit was reflected in the final communiqué, discussions did focus extensively on these issues.
This was particularly the case as the Defence Forum was held and regional states sought a new security architecture.
Since the launch of the US-Israeli war on Iran, Gulf states came under heavy attacks by Iranian long-range missiles and drones. Although most were intercepted, they raised concerns and posed risks to Gulf states and the energy trade.
This has prompted countries to explore air defence options and strengthen relations with the United States, NATO members and Turkey.
On the significance of Gulf participation in the summit, Marwa Suna Ozal Ozcan, a member of the International Relations Department at Kirikkale University, told The New Arab, "Yes, Trump said the ceasefire with Iran has ended and criticised Iran, pointing to major differences between them, but I believe this is merely rhetoric for the time being."
"I hope this summit will not lay the groundwork for war. Many actors took part in establishing the ceasefire negotiating table, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and Pakistan," she added. "The initiative by these parties, and the move towards regional and global stability thanks to the ceasefire, deserve praise. However, last night's clashes showed us once again how fragile this agreement is."
Commenting on Trump's remarks and supposed 'end' of the MoU with Iran, Ozcan said, "What surprised me were the remarks made by Rutte during his meeting with Trump today, when he said the United States was making good efforts with Iran and mentioned sending 5,000 aircraft, giving specific figures and indicating that they would provide support in this way."
She continued, "On the other hand, we must recognise that we are going through a period in which transatlantic relations have been severely strained. The United States wants Europe to increase its spending, while Europe seeks to remain under the American security umbrella."
"During this period, the war with Iran appears to have been used to some extent in political discourse," Ozcan stressed. "However, it is not inaccurate to say that the framework that could directly lead to war will be limited, at least at this summit hosted by Turkey , and that informal diplomacy has begun to bear fruit quickly."
Regarding the outcomes of Gulf participation in the summit, she said, "We are now focused on the NATO summit, but the NATO summit has effectively become a summit within a summit, or a meeting within a meeting. Gulf participation is extremely important. The Gulf states may have been the region most affected by the Iranian-US-Israeli war, and they need to renew their confidence in the United States."
She added, "On the other hand, it is necessary to recall the emergence of new forms of cooperation, particularly in the defence industry, where Turkey has become a central hub for this cooperation. From this perspective, I believe different formats for meetings between the Gulf states and the United States will have to emerge."
"However, it must be emphasised that Turkey will be the main centre as cooperation with Turkey in the defence industry grows, with new agreements to be concluded, particularly with Saudi Arabia and Qatar," Ozcan further noted.
"No sharp or provocative statements will be issued regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Nevertheless, it should be noted that many of NATO's Western allies will address energy security, and based on Rutte's remarks this morning regarding the conflict with Iran, it appears certain that the summit's final text will contain some criticism of Iran," she concluded. Article translated from Arabic by Afrah Almatwari. To read the original, click here .