Iran Aligns with Gulf States to Ensure Regional Stability

Iran's Navy Commander Admiral Shahram Irani stated that "his country, Saudi Arabia, and three other Gulf nations are planning to form a naval alliance that will also include India and Pakistan," according to Iranian media reports on Saturday. He noted that "the countries in the region have realized today that cooperation among themselves is the only way to achieve security for the region." The UAE withdrew two months ago from a US-led maritime security coalition in the Middle East. In March, Saudi Arabia and Iran ended a seven-year hostility through an agreement mediated by China, emphasizing the need for regional stability and economic cooperation.