The feud between the closest allies in the Persian Gulf could disrupt U.S. efforts against ISIS and to confront Iran in the middle East in the long term, even if administration officials trump insist that the split will not have any immediate effect.

Just 2 weeks after President Donald trump stressed the unity of the Gulf countries in trying to contain Iran and to defeat ISIS, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have undertaken a dramatic step to break off diplomatic relations with Qatar. The triad countries of the Persian Gulf, joined by Egypt, Yemen and the Maldives, ceased operations in Qatar and closed their borders, claiming that Qatar is too closely associated with Iran.

Countries in the Gulf are key to the US-led coalition against ISIL, while Qatar - the American military base Al Udeid Air Base, the main regional centre with daily air missions and the coordination of all air operations. But U.S. officials, including defense Minister James Mattis, said that the diplomatic rift will not break the campaign. "I am sure that there are no consequences to this dramatic situation," said Mattis, speaking on Monday in Australia. "And I say that based on the commitment that each of these Nations ... have done for this battle."

But complications can arise if the three countries would refuse to work with Qatar - they are part of the cooperation Council of the Gulf countries against ISIS. Analysts also warned that the gap could undermine the longer-term objective of the administration to challenge the destabilizing actions of Iran in the region.

Saudi Arabia and its allies made their move against Qatar after receiving support from trump in the may 20-21 summit in Riyadh, which made them feel encouraged. The US President announced the conclusion of a deal with the Saudis in the amount of $110 billion and sent the message that the nation must take greater responsibility to curb bad participants.

Trump and his officials gave a high rating to Qatar, a tiny country of 300 thousand people for its strategic contribution. Mattis and Secretary of state Rex Tillerson met with his colleagues from Qatar in April and may and at the may summit in Saudi Arabia, trump said the US relationship with Qatar "very good".
sections: Politics, World News, Accidents