Iran conflict exposes divisions within Gulf Cooperation Council

The ongoing conflict involving Iran has highlighted structural divisions within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Despite facing Iranian attacks on military, civilian, and energy infrastructure, as well as threats to the Strait of Hormuz—a critical corridor for one-fifth of global oil exports—the six member nations have failed to form a unified response.

Discrepancies persist among Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain regarding national interests and threat perceptions. While the UAE and Bahrain maintain diplomatic ties with Israel, countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman have prioritized diplomatic engagement and de-escalation with Tehran. Experts suggest that the war has not created these divergences but has instead brought existing geopolitical differences to the surface.