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Gates Looks for Support Against Iran
March 11, 2010 - 6:17 PM | by: Justin Fishel
Defense Secretary Robert Gates met with top military and government officials in the United Arab Emirates Thursday in a effort to bolster support among partners in the region for harsher sanctions against Iran.
In Saudi Arabia yesterday Gates acknowledged diplomacy with Tehran hadn't worked, and asked the country's royal leadership to help win support for sanctions among the Chinese. On Thursday night Gates told reporters Saudi and Emirates leaders appear willing to use their economic influence with China and Russia to push the Chinese harder. "I think Russia is pretty much already there... it's mainly China" that needs convincing, Gates said.
Gates described the threat from Iran as a serious concern among Saudi and Emirates leaders and has made clear the U.S. will help defend them both. The U.A.E. has already received one of two Patriot Missile Batteries from the U.S. designed to defend against an attack from Iran. In addition the U.S. Navy has increased the number of Aegis ships in the Gulf region, capable of shooting down missiles in flight. "The obvious the reason for the need for these defensive capabilities has been the significant expansion of missile capabilities on the part of the Iranians", Gates told reporters after his meeting with Emirates leaders.
According to Gates the Saudis remain skeptical that sanctions will work but they understand the need to try. "I think there is an understanding that we have to go, we have try this, this is the next step."
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