Gulf States

Voices from the Arab press: Reading the Jeddah statement

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

SAUDI CROWN PRINCE Mohammed bin Salman (R) receives Bahrain’s King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa ahead of an exceptional meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council – the first in-person meeting of Gulf leaders since their states became a front in the Iran war two months ago – in Jeddah, April 28.
Surface-to-air missile launcher of the Patriot (Wisla) system newly integrated into the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) stands at an army base in Sochaczew, Poland, December 18, 2024.

US Secretary of State approves $25.8 billion in weapons sales to Middle East allies - report

An Emirati F-16E fighter jet; illustrative.

UAE tried to coordinate with Saudi Arabia, Qatar to strike Iran during recent war - report

Iran and Iraq map. Ilustration.

Role of Gulf states in Iran conflict said to change over one week - analysis


Iran threatens US, Israeli infrastructure over energy strikes

"If the enemy attacks fuel and energy infrastructure, all energy, information technology, and desalination infrastructure belonging to the US and the regime in the region will be targeted," Iran said.

Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army, Amir Hatami speaks during a meeting with military academy students, in Tehran, Iran, in this handout image obtained on January 7, 2026.

NATO withdraws troops from Iraq mission to Europe as Iran war rages

A NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the mission amounted to "several hundred" troops.

A TURKISH soldier stands guard as army and security personnel search a field after a piece of ammunition fell following the interception of a missile launched from Iran by a NATO air defence system, in Diyarbakir, Turkey, March 9, 2026.

Gulf states seek to balance diplomacy with deterrence policies as Iran war threatens region

Israeli and US actions against Iran, including strikes on key facilities such as Kharg Island, which hosts a large portion of Iran’s oil exports, have widened the confrontation.

 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.

UAE dismantles terror network tied to Hezbollah, Iran amid Gulf tensions, arrests suspects

According to the state news agency, the network was involved in "money laundering, financing terrorism and threatening national security."

Hezbollah terrorists march in the funeral of senior terrorist Haytham Ali Tabatabai, others killed in IDF airstrike, in Beirut, November 24, 2025; illustrative.

Epic Fury: Moral obligations before declaring war on Iran - opinion

Does a political leader who chooses to go to war have the right to unilaterally put the lives of millions of citizens around the world at risk?

An illustrative image of soldiers against a backdrop of words relating to warfare.

Gulf states at crossroads: Navigating the Iran war’s unwanted reality - opinion

The Gulf states’ ability to preserve stability, maintain strategic flexibility, and avoid being drawn into an escalation will shape the region for years to come. 

Smoke rises in the sky after blasts were heard in Manama, Bahrain, February 28, 2026.

Iran attacks pushing Gulf's Arab states toward unity, possible action against Tehran - analysis

Iran has sought to escalate incrementally against Gulf countries over the course of the three-week war.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud attends the consultative ministrial meeting in Riyadh, on March 19, 2026.

Iran demands compensation from UAE over alleged role in US strikes

In the letter, Amir Saeid Iravani said the UAE’s decision to allow its territory to be used for the strikes constituted "an internationally wrongful act that entailed state responsibility."

Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani of Iran attends Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East as members vote on two draft resolutions regarding the current crisis in the Middle East on March 11, 2026.

Saudi FM: Kingdom reserves right to military action following Iran attacks

Both political and non-political responses are possible, threatened Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan amidst increasing Iranian missile strikes across the region.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks during a press conference, as Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon hosts the foreign ministers of Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia, February 6, 2026.

US intelligence chief: Iran's regime intact but weakened by Operation Epic Fury

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testifies that Iran's regime, though weakened, is still capable of targeting US and allied interests in the Middle East.

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US, March 18, 2026.