When US and Iranian negotiators meet in Oman on Saturday they will be just the latest to turn to crisis mediation in the Gulf Arab states, whose wealthy rulers are increasingly seeking out the role.

Oman is a long-established venue for Iranian talks, while promoting peace is a pillar of Qatar's foreign policy and even enshrined in its constitution.

More recently Saudi Arabia has caught on, hosting Ukraine ceasefire talks including the latest round in a lavish hotel in Riyadh last month.

The United Arab Emirates has also got in on the act, facilitating Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchanges and hand-delivering a letter from US President Donald Trump to Tehran that paved the way for Saturday's talks.

The Gulf monarchies are convenient facilitators as they often refuse to take sides in conflicts and are careful to maintain relations with a wide array of countries.

They benefit from the prestige and diplomatic leverage of hosting talks, while also helping protect themselves by easing regional volatility.

In the case of Iran, which sits on the other side of the Gulf, there is a clear peace dividend for the Arab states which house........

© Al Monitor