The United States is “mystified” that Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies have failed to present details justifying their embargo on Qatar, the State Department said Tuesday.
Signaling Washington’s mounting frustration at Riyadh’s role in the crisis, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert called on the parties to settle their differences.
And she called into question whether Qatar’s alleged support for terrorism is the true cause of the crisis, or whether there is an underlying political dispute.
“Now that it has been more than two weeks since the embargo started we are mystified that the Gulf states have not released to the Qataris nor to the public the details about the claims they are making toward Qatar,” she said.
“The more that time goes by the more doubt is raised about the actions taken by Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” she added, in a significant swipe at two of Washington’s closest allies.
“At this point we are left with one simple question: Were the actions really about their concerns regarding Qatar’s alleged support for terrorism?
“Or were they about the long-simmering grievances between and among the GCC countries?” she asked, referring to the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes both Doha and Riyadh.
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