Gulf States and Egypt screen citizens over possible links to Iran

Countries in the Gulf region, together with Egypt, have intensified political, intelligence, and security cooperation amid growing concerns over a potential renewed armed conflict between the United States and Iran, according to Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar.

The key objective of the multilateral consultations is to safeguard national security and prevent any negative impact on internal stability across the region. 

Coordination between Cairo and Arab capitals increased following a recent visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to the United Arab Emirates, which, according to the report, “helped contain Abu Dhabi’s anger and accelerated the restoration of relations,” despite ongoing tensions even after the visit.

Particular attention is being paid to screening Egyptian citizens working in Gulf countries for possible contacts with Iranian security structures. 

Sources cited by Al Akhbar say that processing such inquiries has now been significantly expedited, with relevant authorities receiving detailed reports on the family members of suspects, as well as on any sudden changes in their financial situation or standard of living.

By Jeyhun Aghazada