Key facts
- Gulf states are urging strategic restraint and continued negotiations between the US and Iran amidst escalating military actions.
- The US and Iran have exchanged fire, with Iran attacking Kuwait and Bahrain.
- US President Donald Trump stated that the US-Iran ceasefire is "over."
- Qatar condemned Iran's strikes on regional vessels and territories, calling them a violation of international law and a threat to global energy security.
- The UAE warned that Iran is not capable of "turning the page on war."
- Oman condemned Iranian attacks and called for a return to diplomacy.
Gulf nations are once again bracing for heightened tensions between the United States and Iran following a rapid escalation of military actions. Following overnight US airstrikes on Iran, Tehran launched retaliatory attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain, and struck Qatari and Saudi tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump declared the US-Iran ceasefire "over" during a NATO summit in Ankara, stating that negotiations with Iran were a "waste of time" unless they returned to him directly.
Qatar, a key mediator in US-Iran negotiations, issued a strong protest note to Iran, condemning the attacks on international shipping as a grave violation of safety and a threat to global energy security. The nation also condemned Iran's repeated attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, emphasizing the need for dialogue and de-escalation.
The UAE's diplomatic advisor warned that Iran cannot "turn the page on war," stating that Gulf Arab states cannot remain targets of Iran's wavering between escalation and peace. Oman also condemned the Iranian strikes on Bahrain, Kuwait, and the vessels, urging all parties to return to diplomacy.
Kuwait condemned the "heinous" Iranian aggressions, and the Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General stated that the attacks confirm Iran's intent to undermine regional security efforts. An Iranian affairs observer suggested that by targeting tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran aims to signal its claim to control the waterway, prioritizing its strategic value over potential agreements with the US or improved relations with Gulf states.