Iran and Gulf States Clash Over US‑Backed War Threats

Iranian military commander Lieutenant General Gholam Ali Abdollahi warned that any country acting as a defensive shield for the United States will be consumed by war, accusing Washington of accelerating a regional conflict and exploiting Muslim nations’ resources. He urged Islamic states to reconsider cooperation with the United States, citing the United States and Israel as aggressors.

Gulf Cooperation Council members are divided on how to respond to the escalating Iran‑U.S. confrontation. While they agree the war must end, they differ on priorities such as keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and the balance of economic interests. Recent diplomatic meetings among the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and other GCC states have produced joint statements condemning Iranian attacks, yet internal disputes persist, highlighted by the UAE’s withdrawal from OPEC and strained Saudi‑UAE relations. The discord hampers a unified Gulf strategy toward the conflict.