Former diplomat: Iran attacks create opportunity for talks

The Donald Trump administration should use the investigation into suspected Iranian attacks on Saudi oil facilities to de-escalate regional tensions, a former top US diplomat said at an Al-Monitor event today.

Ambassador Bill Burns, who served as deputy secretary of state during the Barack Obama administration, said at an Al-Monitor Middle East Mornings breakfast that growing diplomatic pressure on Iran could allow the United States to press for room to have expansive talks to lower tensions in the region.

“You want to use the leverage we have now to make a much more serious push on Yemen and create some time and space to deal with the Iranians to lowering tensions in the Gulf,” Burns said.

The former US diplomat spoke as more US allies appeared to get behind the Trump administration’s decision to blame Iran for this month’s attacks. Germany, France and the United Kingdom joined the United States on Monday night in blaming Iran for drone and cruise missile attacks on Saudi oil facilities at Abqaiq and Khurais.