# Gulf states
Latest news and articles about Gulf states
Total: 9 articles found
Gulf States and Israel Clamp Down on Social Media as Regional Fighting Intensifies
As fighting in the Middle East escalates, Gulf states and Israel have intensified restrictions on social media and the sharing of military-related footage, citing national security and fears of panic. The moves include prosecutions, arrests and new rules for journalists, and have prompted warnings from foreign embassies to their citizens.
Regional Firestorm: Israel Battles on Two Fronts as Iran Expands Strikes, Gulf States Hit
Israel is conducting operations on two fronts while Iran persists with strikes that have struck several Gulf states, deepening a regional confrontation. The situation increases risks to maritime security, energy markets and the broader balance of power unless de-escalatory diplomacy intervenes.
At the Crossroads: Gulf States Weigh Dependence on Washington Against a Turn to Beijing and Moscow
Gulf states are confronting a strategic crossroads as increased US‑Israeli pressure on Iran heightens regional risk and prompts Iranian warnings of retaliation that could threaten the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing and Moscow offer an alternative to Washington’s security umbrella, giving Gulf capitals room to pursue greater strategic autonomy, though each choice carries significant costs for security, economies and domestic stability.
U.S. Military and Intelligence Weigh How to Back an Israeli Strike on Iran
Chinese media reported that senior U.S. military and intelligence officials are discussing ways to support a possible Israeli airstrike on Iran’s ballistic missile facilities after President Trump reportedly promised backing to Prime Minister Netanyahu. Practical obstacles — notably Gulf states’ refusals to allow use of their airspace — and the risk of Iranian retaliation make any escalation fraught with regional and global consequences.
Gulf States Push US and Iran Toward a Non‑Aggression Pact as Muscat Talks Resume
Gulf and Muslim states have drafted a mutual non‑aggression framework they hope will be adopted by the United States and Iran during talks in Muscat, aiming to curb direct strikes and proxy escalation. The proposal faces major hurdles — chiefly verification, the unresolved nuclear dispute, and likely Israeli opposition — that may limit its practical effect.
Gulf States Coax Washington Back to the Table — Iran Talks Restored, Moved to Oman
After urgent lobbying by multiple Middle Eastern leaders, the U.S. agreed to restore Iran talks scheduled for February 6 and move the meeting to Oman. Regional pressure sought to prevent a cancellation that might have increased the likelihood of military action, but U.S. officials remain sceptical about the talks' prospects.
Iran’s 1,000-Drone Push Raises Stakes in Middle East; Swarm Warfare and Proxies Enter a New Phase
Iran has unveiled the induction of 1,000 new military drones and showcased six distinct models, positioning the capability as a deterrent against potential US strikes. The move complicates US force protection in the region, heightens risks from Tehran’s proxy networks, and forces Gulf states into a difficult balancing act between alliance ties and economic self‑preservation.
Talks and Triggers: Tehran and Washington Signal Diplomacy as Both Sides Brace for Wider Conflict
Iran and the United States are simultaneously engaging in cautious diplomacy and escalating military postures, with Tehran warning that any U.S. attack would quickly broaden into a regional war. The key impasse centers on uranium enrichment, ballistic missiles and Iran’s regional activities, while naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz and heightened alerts increase the risk of miscalculation.
Trump Says He ‘Convinced Himself’ to Pause Strikes on Iran, Citing Own Judgment Over Outside Persuasion
President Trump said he had convinced himself to postpone military action against Iran, denying that Gulf leaders persuaded him. Advisers warned that a major strike was unlikely to change Iran’s regime and risked wider conflict, while Israel sought a delay to prepare for possible retaliation.