Gulf States

Iran's missile arsenal, not Gulf deterrence, is the Middle East's real problem - opinion

Iran has not only built a massive missile program; it has turned missiles into a standalone strategic language, using them as a deterrent, a means of pressure, and a message of influence.

 Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, US President Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attend a group photo session with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 14, 2025.
US Airforce (USAF) personnel work by a USAF B-1B bomber, at RAF Fairford airbase, which is used by USAF personnel, amid the US–Israeli conflict with Iran.

Iran retaliates against US strikes with attacks on Gulf assets

VESSELS AT the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 24, 2026.

Netanyahu, Trump hold phone call about Iran conflict, F-35s to Turkey

Smoke rises following a strike on the Bapco Oil Refinery, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, on Sitra Island Bahrain, March 9, 2026.

Ghalibaf: 'If you strike, you'll get hit,' IRGC claims responsibility for Kuwait, Bahrain strikes


Bahrain condemns Iran's 'systematic pattern of aggression,' calls on UN to hold Tehran accountable

The condemnation comes after Bahrain's Interior Ministry announced on X/Twitter that air raid sirens sounded across Bahrain for the second time in as many hours.

Damaged residential building in Bahrain following Iranian strike, June 28, 2026.

'Nothing has been canceled,' US senior official tells 'Post' over Iran talks

Tank incident that killed four soldiers was caused by explosive drone • Sources say next round of talks to be held in Doha • Lebanese President Aoun hopes US will push Israel to withdraw

 Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attend an IRGC ground forces military drill in the Aras area, East Azerbaijan province, Iran, October 17, 2022.

Iran claims to strike US-linked targets, warns Gulf states not to aid attacks

According to a statement from Iran's Foreign Ministry, the US attack on Iran, and an alleged attack on Lebanon "in coordination with the United States," are both violations of the ceasefire agreement

An military UAV over the backdrop of an Iran flag; illustrative.

Iran reasserts its right to control shipping in Strait of Hormuz after ship hit near Oman

Tehran reasserted its claim over the Strait of Hormuz and warned Gulf states after a joint US-Gulf statement rejected Iranian toll demands, while reports said tankers were turned back by the IRGC.

 IRAN-US-ISRAEL-WAR-TRANSPORT-HORMUZ In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency on June 18, 2026, vessels are seen anchored in Bandar Abbas along the Strait of Hormuz.

Gulf countries weigh next steps after Iran war amid Rubio visit to Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE

Rubio was in the UAE and then Kuwait. The visits to Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE are important, as these countries were attacked by Iran during the latest conflict.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the media upon his arrival at Al Bateen Executive Airport to discuss the interim deal between the US and Iran with Arab Gulf allies, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, June 23, 2026.

Pause, not peace: Left out of talks, Gulf states brace for next round of Iran war

Arab analysts, policymakers say the agreement may reduce tensions temporarily, but it does little to address concerns over Iran’s regional influence, missile program, and support for proxies

A year ago, the Israel-based Coalition for Regional Security expressed hope that US President Donald Trump could forge a regional alliance for peace, but Gulf analysts do not believe Saudi Arabia and other states would normalize ties with Israel due to the war in Gaza.
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Airlines should still avoid airspace over Iran after framework deal, EU agency warns

Short-term violations of the US-Iran ceasefire remain possible, in particular in and around the Strait of Hormuz and neighboring airspace, the agency said.

 EasyJet airplane

Rubio lands in Gulf to sell Trump's $300 billion Iran peace deal to wary allies

Arriving in Abu Dhabi late on Tuesday for a three-day Gulf trip, Rubio is undertaking his first high-level diplomatic mission on the agreement reached last week to end the four-month-old war.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks with UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba upon his arrival at Al Bateen Executive Airport to discuss the interim deal between the US and Iran with Arab Gulf allies, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, June 23, 2026.

Trump, Rubio praise Iran deal progress, 'Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon'

As US-Lebanon talks continue in Washington, Rubio noted that "the future of Lebanon belongs to the Lebanese people through their sovereign, elected government."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the media upon arrival at al-Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi on June 23, 2026, on the first stop of a tour of Gulf states aimed at showing solidarity with key allies hit hard by the Middle East war.

Rubio heads to Gulf to sell Iran deal amid regional concerns

Gulf Arab leaders are expected to press Marco Rubio over a draft Iran agreement they fear could reshape regional security and boost Tehran’s power.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio gives a thumbs up as he departs at the Liszt Ferenc International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, February 16, 2026.