The head of the US Air Force David Goldfein he said he hoped the tensions between the Gulf states could end as soon as possible by urging them to join military capabilities against the growing threat from Iran.
Washington reads the continuing political rift between Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt towards Qatar, a contradiction to the growing threat of Iran in the Gulf area.
A signal of the probable thaw was given by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain who have given their willingness to play the regional football tournament in Qatar, despite the tensions with Doha.
"Of course I am confident," Goldfein told Reuter in Dubai, when asked if he was confident that the rift could soon be resolved. "It is certainly in our interest that they find a political solution".
Washington has tried unsuccessfully to mediate since the four nations severed political, commercial and transport ties with Qatar in mid-2017, accused of supporting terrorism. Doha has always denied the accusation by stating that the embargo aims to interfere with its sovereignty.
The United States is an ally of all six Arab states in the Gulf. Qatar hosts the Al-Udeid air base, the largest US military facility in the region, while Bahrain hosts the fifth navy fleet.
Goldfein had previously urged the Gulf states to resolve their differences and work together to defend themselves from the threat Iran posed to their security.
"When a missile or UAV has been launched from Iran, it is time to leave the past behind." So the head of the US air force said at the conference of the heads of the air forces of the Gulf countries.
The United States blamed Iran for a series of attacks in the Gulf over the summer, including the Sept. 14 missile and the drone strike against Saudi Arabia that temporarily halted half of the kingdom's oil production. Despite the evidence, Tehran has always denied involvement.
"No country has everything it needs to defend itself, but together we have exactly what we need for collective defense“Said Goldfein.
"We have the power to start a journey together against a common opponent now"
Gulf military leaders just last month called for joint efforts between their militaries following the attack on Saudi Arabia.
Underlining the principle of collective security, Goldfein said the best chance of defending the UAE could come from Qatar or neighboring Oman.
"The neighbors left and right, by geometry alone have a better shot," reiterated the head of the US Air Force.