The United Arab Emirates and Qatar are privately lobbying allies to help them persuade President Donald Trump to seek an off-ramp that would keep the war with Iran short, according to people familiar with the matter.
Since the two countries attacked the Islamic Republic on Saturday, the conflict has quickly widened — drawing in nations across the region as their military bases, infrastructure and citizens are exposed to retaliation. Meanwhile, a Qatari assessment shared with Bloomberg News warned that if shipping lanes in the region remain severely disrupted by the middle of this week, a more significant market reaction by natural gas prices than Monday’s spike can be expected.
In order to prevent further regional escalation and a prolonged energy price shock, Qatar and the UAE are said to be seeking to build a wide coalition to advance a swift and diplomatic end to the conflict.