West Asia Review
A visit by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the US from February 3-6, 2025, coincided with President Trump's decision to renew "maximum pressure" on Iran, aimed at denying it all paths to a nuclear weapon and countering Tehran’s malign influence. Trump’s "National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-2" called for "additional sanctions" against "shipping, insurance, and port operators" targeting Iran's oil exports to China, its off-shore financial operations including in the UAE, and the Chabahar Port. India will be directly affected due to its operations in Iran’s Chabahar Port.
PM Netanyahu’s visit to Washington D.C. resulted in securing the resumption of US arms supplies to Israel and stronger support for Israel’s positions across the Levant, especially in Gaza.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates from February 15-18, 2025. He affirmed the US’s continued strategic engagement in West Asia, and with its principle regional partners. Saudi Arabia is reported to have expressed its readiness to mediate between the US and Iran. A US State Department readout stated that Rubio’s discussions covered “remaining challenges in Gaza, ways to advance stability in Syria, Lebanon, and across the region, and ways to address threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.”
Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa received a warm welcome in Saudi Arabia on February 2, 2025. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman assured Sharaa of support for Syria’s reconstruction. Sharaa’s visit to Riyadh marked Syria’s pivot away from Iran’s influence, underlining the strategic shifts underway in West Asia.
Foreign Ministers of Arab states met in Riyadh on February 6, 2025, and issued a statement rejecting President Trump’s suggestion to move Palestinians out of Gaza.
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, paid a two-day state visit to India on February 17-18, 2025, during which the two countries elevated their relations to a “strategic partnership”.
To read this West Asia Review, Vol. II, Issue 2, please see the PDF attached.
