Iran-Gulf talks in Oman could reshape regional alliances, analyst says

Gulf states are preparing to meet with Iran in Oman on Monday, as the war between the US and Iran continues to reshape regional alliances and force countries in the region to rethink their reliance on Washington. Iran is expected to outline its expectations at the meeting, with most Gulf states planning to attend, though Bahrain is not. Against that backdrop, Mohamed Elmasry, professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, told Al Jazeera that it remains unclear whether the Oman meeting will resemble an “Iranian lecture” or a genuine give-and-take dialogue where Gulf states can express their concerns and find middle ground. He said the more important question is what happens if the Gulf states and Iran do reach an understanding, and how Donald Trump and the United States would react. Elmasry cited a Wall Street Journal report that Trump’s top advisers, including Marco Rubio and JD Vance, have told him the war could last through the midterms and possibly the rest of his term, suggesting Gulf states may realise they have to take matters into their own hands. On Trump’s claim that the Houthis called him asking America not to intervene in Yemen, Elmasry said it signals the US will not get involved and that Trump has no interest in opening a new front. He said there appears to be an implicit understanding that if others stay out, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait will remain open to everyone except the Saudis, which could be catastrophic for the global economy. Elmasry added that Gulf countries are frustrated and rethinking their relationship with the US after warning Trump of the consequences before the war, and are now engaging directly with Iran, which he described as “stunning”. Subscribe to our channel: bit.ly
Follow us on X: X.com
Find us on Facebook: facebook.com
Check our website: aljazeera.com
Check out our Instagram page: instagram.com
Download AJE Mobile App: aje.news
#Iran #GulfStates #Oman #StraitOfHormuz #IranWar #BabAlMandeb #Yemen #YemenWar #SaudiArabia #DonaldTrump #USIranWar #IranGulfRelations #GulfSecurity #AlJazeeraEnglish