Gulf leaders warn Trump‑Iran pact could destabilize regional security

U.S. President Donald Trump’s emerging agreement with Iran has sparked deep concern among Gulf Arab states. After the 2019 Saudi oil‑facility attacks blamed on Iran, Washington’s security guarantees were tested, and Gulf leaders questioned whether the United States would defend them against Tehran. In May 2025, Trump pledged protection during a visit to Doha, but subsequent U.S.‑led actions against Iran have led to fierce retaliatory strikes across the region.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has travelled to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait to persuade Gulf governments that Washington’s security commitments remain intact. Analysts cited by CNN argue the deal signals a broader U.S. pull‑back from the Gulf, potentially emboldening Iran and undermining the strategic balance that Gulf states have relied on for decades. While the Gulf states opposed the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and welcomed its 2018 cancellation, many now view the new U.S.–Iran arrangement as a “disastrous turning point” that leaves unresolved issues such as Iran’s missile program and its influence over maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.