The Gulf states are confronting Iran and demanding to participate in any security agreement

A firm Gulf stance against Iranian interference

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states continue to reaffirm their firm and unwavering stance against Iranian aggression and interference in the internal affairs of the region's countries. This unified position comes amidst the geopolitical tensions gripping the Middle East, with Gulf capitals emphasizing that the region's security is indivisible and that any attempts to destabilize it will be met with a firm and coordinated response. In this context, the GCC's renewed and legitimate demand for genuine participation in any future security or nuclear agreement with Tehran stands out, to ensure that all the security concerns of neighboring states are addressed comprehensively.

The historical context of Gulf tensions and concerns

These demands stem from past experience with the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), which focused exclusively on the nuclear program and completely ignored Iran’s ballistic missile program and Tehran’s destabilizing behavior in the region. Subsequent events, such as the 2019 attacks on oil facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais, the ongoing threats to maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, and Iran’s support for armed militias in Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria, have demonstrated that any agreement that excludes the Gulf states and fails to address these interconnected issues will fall short of achieving sustainable regional security and peace.

The importance of Gulf participation in any future agreement

The Gulf states' insistence on participating in any security negotiations with Iran stems from an undeniable geographical and political reality: they are the first and foremost to be harmed by any military escalation or security threat in the region. Gulf leaders view their exclusion from international dialogues concerning their region's security as a major strategic error. Therefore, the Gulf vision centers on the necessity of formulating a comprehensive agreement that not only prevents Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons but also imposes strict limitations on the development of drones and ballistic missiles, and compels Tehran to abandon its policy of supporting proxies and militias that threaten the sovereignty of Arab states.

Expected impact at the local, regional, and international levels

At the local and regional levels, the inclusion of the Gulf states in any future agreement would bolster the confidence of the region's people in the international system and establish a new era of stability and cooperation based on the principles of good neighborliness, respect for national sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs. At the international level, the security of the Arabian Gulf is inextricably linked to the security of the global economy. The Gulf region is the main artery of global energy supplies, and any threat to its security directly impacts oil and gas markets and international trade. Therefore, addressing the Gulf states' demands is a paramount international interest, ensuring the flow of energy, stabilizing global markets, and preventing a slide into an arms race in one of the world's most sensitive and strategically important regions.