The News
Friday 29 of March 2024

U.S. Warns Qatar Crisis at Impasse, Could Last for Months


Anwar Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs talks to a news agency reporter about the recent political issues between Qatar and a few Gulf and Arab countries, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, June 9, 2017,photo: AP/Kamran Jebreili
Anwar Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs talks to a news agency reporter about the recent political issues between Qatar and a few Gulf and Arab countries, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, June 9, 2017,photo: AP/Kamran Jebreili
Rex Tillerson remains in close contact with the countries involved

WASHINGTON – The United States is warning that the Persian Gulf crisis between Qatar and its neighbors is at an impasse and may not be quickly resolved.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert says the U.S. believes the crisis could potentially drag on for weeks or even months. She says it could “possibly even intensify.”

Nauert isn’t specifying what type of escalation the U.S. fears. But she says Secretary of State Rex Tillerson remains in close contact with the countries involved. The U.S. is praising Kuwait for trying to mediate a resolution.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut diplomatic ties to Qatar a month ago while accusing it of funding terrorism and spreading unrest. Qatar has refused to comply in whole with a list of demands from its neighbors.

JOSH LEDERMAN