Panetta Calls for Increasing Pressure on Qatar to Stop its Support for Terrorism

Former US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. (Reuters)
Former US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. (Reuters)
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Panetta Calls for Increasing Pressure on Qatar to Stop its Support for Terrorism

Former US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. (Reuters)
Former US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. (Reuters)

Former US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has called for increased pressure on Qatar to push it to implement its pledge regarding halting financial support for terrorism.

Panetta’s remarks came during a conference entitled, “Countering Violent Extremism: Qatar, Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood” held in Washington on Monday.

Organized by Hudson Institute’s Center for Religious Freedom, the conference discussed Qatar’s troubled relationship with its Arab neighbors, which was the result of its ties with Iran and funding terrorism.

Panetta noted that the Arab region has experienced divisions throughout its history, affecting its capacity to achieve stability.

“Terrorism by ISIS, al-Qaeda and ‘Hezbollah’ is what impedes access to stability in the region,” the former defense secretary said, adding that Qatar could no longer continue to support terrorism and back Iran.

“Qatar has announced that it wants to abide by international standards and cut off financial support to terrorist groups,” he said. “The situation is now in the hands of the United States to make sure that Qatar is already executing and implementing its promises.”

Panetta said he was optimistic about the diplomatic efforts exerted by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah to resolve the dispute with the Arab Peninsula.

On the means to face terrorism, the US official explained that despite military victories in Mosul and Raqqa, ISIS will not disappear, and “the worst thing is declaring victory without pursuing ISIS elsewhere, such as in southern Syria and North Africa.”

He went on to say: “It is necessary to confront Iran in the region and halt its support for terrorism and ‘Hezbollah’, and its attempts to spread instability in Beirut, Damascus and Baghdad.”

Panetta pointed out that he had previously proposed “the establishment of a coalition of countries in the Middle East, that would also include Israel, to deal with these challenges, and form a joint command center with the United States to pursue the sources of terrorism in different places with different tactics.”

As for the Syrian crisis, the US former defense secretary said: “Bashar al-Assad's continued presence in power is the reason for the ongoing civil war and instability in Syria.”



Iran Signals Readiness to Expand Economic, Cultural Ties with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
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Iran Signals Readiness to Expand Economic, Cultural Ties with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA

Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, described Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s recent visit to Riyadh as a clear sign on Tehran’s willingness to deepen economic and cultural relations with the kingdom.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Enayati said Tuesday’s visit focused on reviewing bilateral ties and cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. He emphasized Tehran’s commitment to strengthening relations with Riyadh and neighboring countries based on good neighborliness and shared interests.

During the visit, Araghchi held a series of high-level meetings with key Saudi officials, including Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

Enayati said Iran is ready to broaden cooperation with Saudi Arabia across economic, trade, and cultural sectors. He highlighted that the Crown Prince expressed satisfaction with the growing understanding and collaboration between the two leading Muslim nations.

The ambassador, who attended the meetings, added that the Crown Prince reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s determination to continue advancing this path and develop relations in all fields.

Enayati also recalled Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of military aggression against Iran’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

He said the Crown Prince stressed that regional security and stability depend on cooperation and understanding among countries in the region. This includes leveraging all capabilities to prevent escalation and insecurity and prioritizing diplomatic tools to resolve disputes, according to Iran’s envoy.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed hope that the recently agreed ceasefire will help foster security and stability across the region, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.

During a reception for Araghchi in Jeddah, the Crown Prince reaffirmed Riyadh’s support for resolving disputes through diplomatic dialogue, describing it as the best path to lasting peace.

Araghchi thanked Saudi Arabia for its condemnation of Israeli aggression and praised the Crown Prince’s efforts to bolster regional security and stability.

Enayati conveyed Araghchi’s praise for “fruitful” security and defense consultations between the two countries.

Enayati described a recent visit to Tehran by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman as “highly significant and effective in advancing cooperation to strengthen regional security and stability.”

He added that Prince Khalid firmly condemned Israeli military aggression against Iran and extended condolences for the deaths of Iranian military and civilian figures in the attacks, according to the Iranian ambassador.

Prince Khalid took to X to outline the scope of his recent talks with Araghchi, emphasizing bilateral cooperation and regional security.

On his part, Enayati told Asharq Al-Awsat that Araghchi expressed gratitude to the Saudi government for its “valuable assistance” in facilitating the return of Iranian pilgrims amid disruptions caused by Israeli military aggression against Iran.

Enayati also relayed comments from Araghchi attributing recent Israeli attacks to what he described as the “impunity” enjoyed by the Israeli regime for its crimes against the Palestinian people and ongoing aggression toward other regional states.

The Iranian foreign minister strongly condemned the continued killing and displacement of Palestinians and the ongoing occupation.

He further denounced Israel’s repeated strikes against Lebanon and Syria, condemning the United Nations Security Council’s “silence and inaction,” which he described as a key factor in regional insecurity.