The kingdom has reportedly discussed a non-aggression pact between the Gulf states, modelled after the 1970s Helsinki Process that eased tensions in Europe after World War II, the Financial Times reported, citing western diplomats.
Among supporters for the pact are several European countries and EU institutions, who are also urging other Gulf countries to join the efforts.
The pact is one of the many things under discussion. According to the report, the fear is that the war would leave the region with a scaled-back US military to fend itself from a wounded Iran.
The Helsinki Accords are a landmark Cold War agreement, signed in 1975 by 35 nations, including the US, Soviet Union, and most of Europe, to ease tensions between the Eastern and Western blocs. They recognised post-WWII European borders while committing signatories to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. Though non-binding, the Accords are credited with planting seeds for the democratic movements that eventually contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
An Arab diplomat told the publication that a non-aggression pact modelled along the lines of the Helsinki process would be welcomed by most Arab and Muslim states, as well as by Iran.
The diplomat believes the success of any regional non-aggression framework would depend heavily on which countries are included.
“In the current climate, you are not going to be able to get Iran and Israel…without Israel, it could be counter-productive because after Iran, they are seen as the biggest source of conflict…But Iran is not going anywhere, and this is why the Saudis are pushing it,” the diplomat told the Financial Times.
The region has been caught in a war since the US and Israel carried out a coordinated strike on Iran on February 28, triggering over two months of instability. Iran had since retaliated against several US allies in the region.
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(Edited by : Tenzin Norzom)
First Published: May 15, 2026 7:53 AM IST
