Kuwait's deputy foreign minister said Gulf states have strengthened co-ordination to provide oil to global markets amid increased regional tensions, AFP reported Monday (May 20th).
"It is normal amid this escalation that Kuwait and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries take these steps," Khalid al-Jarallah said late Sunday.
"There is co-operation and co-ordination between Kuwait and the Gulf countries to provide guarantees for oil tankers and continuous supply of energy to global markets,” he said.
Al-Jarallah’s comments come days after sabotage attacks against tankers in Gulf waters and the bombing of a Saudi pipeline -- the latter claimed by the Iran-backed Houthis (Ansarallah).
Both attacks targeted routes built as alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for almost all Gulf exports.
The US 5th Fleet headquartered in Bahrain said the six-nation GCC began "enhanced security patrols" Saturday in international waters, in "tight co-ordination with the US navy".
Kuwait's deputy foreign minister said "tension was escalating quickly" but he remained hopeful, adding that Kuwait was in "constant contact" with the US.
On Saturday, Saudi Arabia called for urgent meetings of the GCC and the Arab League to discuss recent "aggressions and their consequences" in the region.
The two summits are scheduled to be held in Mecca on May 30th.
Al-Jarallah welcomed the kingdom's invitation, saying Kuwait was keen to take part in discussions on issues "potentially dangerous" to the region.
