How bitter Persian Gulf rivals can make peace the Asean way

“The Emiratis – by far the most hawkish, by far the most pro-Israel country in the [Gulf Cooperation Council] – they’re having conversations with the Iranians that have never happened before,” US Vice-President J.D. Vance told British media outlet UnHerd following the Iran-US negotiations in Switzerland.

The Iranians “are certainly talking differently than they have in the past”, he added in a note of cautious optimism, highlighting how both Washington and its allies in the Persian Gulf are pursuing a new modus vivendi with post-war Iran. Aside from Pakistan, Qatar played a pivotal role in brokering the official end of the Iran-US war. Oman and Qatar are also pushing for a pan-regional agreement on the Strait of Hormuz.

Even Saudi Arabia is reportedly organising a reconciliation summit between Tehran and its neighbours. Given the depth of hostilities and the sheer scale of devastation wrought by the war in Iran, any long-term peace plan will clearly face major hurdles, including stiff opposition by hardliners in multiple governments, especially Israel. Fortunately, however, Southeast Asia provides an encouraging model for the Middle East.