Why Gulf Nations See Trump's Iran Agreement As A 'Disastrous Turning Point', Worry Over Security

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.

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.

The report added that Gulf capitals had opposed the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement under former President Barack Obama and had welcomed Trump’s decision to withdraw from it in 2018 because it failed to address their security concerns.

The emerging agreement, CNN said, has generated fresh anxiety because many of those issues remain unresolved.

KEY CONCERNS REMAIN

According to the report, one of the most contentious aspects of the agreement is the provision granting Iran a formal role, alongside Oman, in overseeing commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Gulf nations fear that much of their maritime trade and critical energy exports could effectively operate under Iranian oversight.

The report also noted that the agreement does not address Iran’s missile programme or its network of proxy militant groups, both of which Gulf governments regard as more immediate security threats than Tehran’s nuclear activities.

Although Rubio said Iran’s missile programme would “most certainly come up in these conversations," CNN noted that Trump appeared to play down the issue, saying it was only fair for Iran to possess missiles if Saudi Arabia did.

The report added that Gulf states are increasingly reassessing both their relationship with Washington and their future approach towards Iran.

A senior Gulf diplomat told CNN that some countries are exploring alternative defence partnerships, including expanding military procurement from Turkey, while also considering whether a regional non-aggression pact with Iran could eventually provide greater stability.

However, analysts remain cautious about such an approach.

Alhasan was quoted as saying that “a nonaggression pact is unlikely to change Iran’s strategic calculus" unless Gulf countries first establish “credible deterrence, enhanced and integrated defence and robust resilience measures."

According to the report, Gulf governments increasingly believe they must both strengthen their own military capabilities and seek a workable accommodation with Iran as confidence in long-standing US security guarantees continues to erode.

About the Author

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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