Gulf states must engage directly with Iran as US security role wanes, analyst says

Planned talks in Oman between Iran and GCC states have been postponed, officially to create conditions for constructive dialogue. Meanwhile, the Houthis have been cementing their control of the Bab al-Mandab area. Sultan Barakat, professor of public policy at Hamad bin Khalifa University, told Al Jazeera that the Oman meeting was the result of a mediated process, not an Iranian invitation, with Gulf states trying to get Iran around the table for regional arrangements, knowing they cannot rely on the United States and do not want direct confrontation with Iran. He said the war started as a short operation but is now entering its seventh month, with Gulf states paying the highest price. Barakat explained that Bahrain is opposed to the talks in principle and will not sit with Iran until diplomatic relations are restored, while Saudi Arabia is worried about being presented with a fait accompli — an Oman-Iran plan discussed for months — and feels Iran is playing a double game by talking while using forces to stir trouble. Other countries, particularly Qatar, Iraq and Kuwait, are in a difficult position as they struggle to restore export levels and lose markets, with the US not helping by subsidising the market. Barakat noted there is no supply crisis like those seen in the 1970s, but supplies are more expensive. On the recent strike on the Saudi East-West pipeline, he said it would be a mistake to assume the Houthis only act on Iran's orders, arguing that Arab states should talk directly to them, recognise their grievances and seek agreements. He added that Saudi Arabia is capable of neutralising regional forces if it has the will, and that the realisation that outside powers cannot protect them should drive Gulf states towards direct talks with Iran. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #Iran #GulfStates #Oman #StraitOfHormuz #IranWar #BabAlMandeb #Yemen #YemenWar #SaudiArabia #DonaldTrump #USIranWar #IranGulfRelations #GulfSecurity #AlJazeeraEnglish