How Pakistan neutralise Israeli plan
The latest article by former Saudi Intelligence Chief Prince Turki al-Faisal highlights why Riyadh resisted retaliating against Iran.
His piece, in reality, is an endorsement of Pakistan's stance. When Iran started sending missiles and drones across the Gulf after the war erupted on Feb. 28, there was a genuine threat of an all-out war involving Muslim countries.
That was when Pakistan stepped in. There was a meeting of foreign ministers from 12 Islamic countries in Riyadh on March 19. Gulf countries were furious. They wanted to hit back at Iran. There was so much anger that a representative of one country said that if Iran was nuked, they would not mind.
However, Pakistan attempted to calm the nerves. The meeting, which was supposed to last for a couple of hours, continued for several hours.
Pakistan tried to convince the Gulf countries that while Iran's strikes on its neighbours were condemnable, they must not forget the larger Israeli design. The Gulf foreign ministers were told that Israel wanted to ignite a larger conflict, pitting Muslim nations against each other.
Responding to Iran's strikes would only serve the Israeli agenda.
Most in the room understood Pakistan's position and eventually backed its mediation efforts.
The article by the former Saudi intelligence chief reflected Pakistan's view, which it presented during the March 19 meeting.