Allies unite behind Saudi Arabia as more Iranian flights are restricted
USO•Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani military chiefs are set to discuss assistance for Saudi Arabia under a defence pact, as Iraq suspended flights to and from Iran at three more airports. An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader threatened retaliation over regional flight restrictions.
1. Saudi defence talks
Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani foreign ministers met on Thursday under a defence pact signed in August, condemned attacks on Mecca and other civilian sites, and planned a meeting of military chiefs to discuss assistance for the kingdom. Turkey’s chief of general staff travelled to Saudi Arabia on Friday for talks with his Saudi and Pakistani counterparts. President Tayyip Erdogan said support could include intelligence, logistics or ammunition, with more advanced military support considered depending on the threat.
2. Iranian flights curtailed
Three Iraqi airports that operate flights to and from Iran suspended them on Friday, joining Baghdad airport. The restrictions followed new US sanctions and flight bans imposed by the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Iranian leader’s adviser Mohammad Mokhber warned that if Iran could not fly or receive airport services, no country in the region would be able to do so either.
3. Oil and diplomacy
The Houthis have attacked Saudi targets and disrupted ship traffic at the mouth of the Red Sea, while Iran has limited tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran proposed reopening the strait if hostilities ended on all fronts within seven days and the US lifted its port blockade, released frozen funds and waived oil sanctions. Oil prices fell on Friday as markets weighed the possibility of a truce.
