Gulf Allies Question US Ties Over Iran Conflict

US allies in the Persian Gulf are increasingly expressing frustration with US President Donald Trump’s diplomatic approach to the ongoing war with Iran, with some questioning the continued presence of US military bases in the region, The Washington Post reported. Officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain have cited Trump’s unpredictable policy shifts as a source of regional instability.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. An anonymous Gulf official stated that anger toward Washington has peaked since the US and Israel attacked Iran in February, stating that the region is paying the price for a war initiated by the US administration. The discontent follows a new mutual defense agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. A European official described the pact as a signal that the Gulf states are attempting to diversify their security and defense partnerships. Analysts note that while nations like Oman opposed the conflict from the start, others, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, initially offered tacit support in hopes of a swift resolution. This stance shifted as it became apparent the Iranian government would not collapse and the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed. Despite the frustration, experts highlight that Gulf states remain heavily dependent on the US for military equipment and intelligence. Douglas Silliman, a former US ambassador to Kuwait and Iraq, noted that while there is anger toward the US for the war, there is also growing regional frustration with Tehran over its infrastructure attacks and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Other Topics of Interest Trump Plans to Claim Strait of Hormuz as US Territory US President Donald Trump stated he plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory following the conclusion of the war with Iran. A White House official defended the administration’s record, stating that Trump maintains strong relations with regional partners and that the US has been in regular contact with them since “Operation Epic Fury.” The official added that Iran has become increasingly isolated as a result of its actions. Representatives from the Gulf governments declined to comment on the report. Stalled negotiations and Strait of Hormuz The regional tensions coincide with a diplomatic impasse between Washington and Tehran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently stated that Iran has not decided to resume formal negotiations with the US, accusing Washington of violating the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Araghchi asserted the agreement was intended to end the war, rather than serve as a temporary ceasefire. The diplomatic stall occurs alongside a continued halt in commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. On Aug. 14, Trump declared intentions to claim the waterway as US territory following the conflict, confirming an ongoing US maritime blockade. Concurrently, Iran is engaged in technical discussions with Oman to establish new, temporary maritime routes in the area. Araghchi emphasized that these technical talks are separate from any decision to reopen the strait to general transit, which he stated depends on the US fulfilling specific conditions. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.