Why Gulf Nations See Trump's Iran Agreement As A 'Disastrous Turning Point', Worry Over Security
Why Gulf Nations See Trump's Iran Agreement As A 'Disastrous Turning Point', Worry Over Security Published By, Last Updated: June 25, 2026, 10:46 IST Gulf
Why Gulf Nations See Trump's Iran Agreement As A 'Disastrous Turning Point', Worry Over Security Published By, Last Updated: June 25, 2026, 10:46 IST Gulf nations fear Trump's emerging Iran deal could strengthen Tehran, weaken regional deterrence and deepen doubts over long-standing US security guarantees, a report has claimed. Donald Trump speaks to the media after disembarking Air Force One at Reading Regional Airport (Photo: AP) The emerging agreement between the United States and Iran under President Donald Trump has sparked deep unease among Washington’s Gulf allies, who fear the deal could fundamentally alter the region’s security architecture and embolden Tehran, according to a CNN report. The report said Gulf leaders, who have long relied on the United States as their primary security guarantor, are increasingly questioning whether Washington remains committed to protecting them following the recent conflict with Iran and the subsequent diplomatic outreach to Tehran. According to the report, Gulf states view the agreement as a significant shift in the regional balance of power, with analysts warning that it could leave Arab nations more vulnerable to Iranian influence. “From the Arab Gulf states’ perspective, the Iran war is a disastrous turning point for the regional security order," Hasan Alhasan, senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), was quoted as saying. He argued that the agreement reflects a broader American withdrawal from the region.
“US disengagement from the Gulf and the flow of financial and economic resources to Iran are likely to embolden Tehran further," Alhasan said. Despite those concerns, he noted that Gulf governments had backed the ceasefire arrangement because “a bad deal is still preferable to war." The report noted that Gulf leaders’ concerns have been shaped by years of uncertainty over the extent of American military support. The report recalled President Trump’s 2018 remarks on Saudi Arabia, when he said, “King, we’re protecting you. You might not be there for two weeks without us. You have to pay for your military". Those doubts intensified after the 2019 attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities, when Washington blamed Iran, but Gulf states were left questioning how far the US would go in confronting Tehran on their behalf. RUBIO SEEKS TO REASSURE ALLIES Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait following the recent conflict, seeking to reassure regional partners that America’s security commitments remain unchanged. “We want to hear their thoughts, especially in the aftermath of this weekend in Switzerland, and make sure that their views are taken into account in every decision that we make, because they’re our partners," Rubio told reporters after arriving in Abu Dhabi. However, CNN said many Gulf governments are now more concerned about whether the new understanding with Iran leaves them better or worse off than before the war.
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