The recent reports about U.S.-Iran negotiations have aroused little hope among the Gulf countries that Iran has targeted in strikes, particularly because of their concerns regarding potential outcomes. Saudi and Emirati writers have expressed worries about any potential agreement that would allow Iran to resume its previous policies, rebuild its military capabilities, and continue to pose a threat to its neighbors with its regional ambitions. They specifically warned about Iran replenishing its military arsenal, and one writer raised the question of who is qualified to speak for Iran today now that nearly its entire leadership has been killed over the past few years.

In their articles, the writers present demands for the Gulf states to be involved in the negotiations with Iran to ensure that any agreement will guarantee their interests and security, since they were directly targeted in Iranian missile strikes through the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.

On March 26, 2026, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi expressed these concerns before several diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia, saying: “It is important that the countries of the GCC participate in shaping the future regional field, and it is necessary that they be involved in all talks to solve the crisis, in a fashion that would strengthen their security and stability and ensure that the attacks [against them] are not repeated.”[1]

The following are translations of some of these articles:

Editor-In-Chief Of Saudi Daily: In Order To Preserve Their Security, The Gulf States Must Be Involved In Negotiations For An Agreement With Iran

Khaled Bin Hamad Al-Malek, editor-in-chief of the Saudi daily Al-Jazirah, wrote on March 29, 2026: “…Why are the negotiations only between the U.S. and Iran, and why are Saudi Arabia and the GCC countries not involved, right after they have been directly harmed in this war? It is important that the voice of the other position is heard, and that the interests of the GCC countries are taken into consideration, in any agreement signed between the U.S. and Iran. It is also important that our countries receive full information regarding all the talks taking place behind closed doors about the future of the region.

“Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries have been targeted in Iranian missile and drone [strikes] much more than Israel has been, despite the fact that they are not involved in the war and have not assisted [Israel or the U.S.] in attacking Iran. [On the contrary,] they have supported decreasing tensions and have opposed the war. Thus, they should be involved in the negotiations.

“The GCC countries’ involvement in all the talks, in the negotiations process, and in any agreements reached is their legitimate right, and their demand for this is rooted in a desire to help the U.S. and Iran overcome this crisis, while protecting the rights of our countries in any agreement that affects their interests, security, and stability.

“I am writing this stance as Iran continues to attack our countries and focusing on civilian targets, despite its claims that it is targeting [only] American bases and interests. This [behavior] reflects Iran’s untrustworthiness and demonstrates the need to establish a connection between this aggression and the obligation to take precautions regarding Iran in the context of any agreement being signed, in order to [ensure that] it will not attack again in the future.

“Iran is not satisfied merely with launching drones and missiles directly [at the Gulf countries] – it is [also] pressuring the militias that support it in Iraq to carry out reckless attacks to undermine the region’s security, despite its good relations with Saudi Arabia and the countries of the GCC. This brings us to stress the need for our countries to be present in any negotiations and to be kept updated regarding any U.S.-Iran agreement about ending the war, in order to ensure that Iran does not return to its greedy ambitions, its aggression, and its interference in the affairs of the Arab countries…”[2]

Saudi Daily Al-Riyadh: Any Agreement With Iran Must Guarantee The Interests Of The Gulf Countries

In its March 25, 2026 editorial, the Saudi daily Al-Riyadh also addressed the issue of U.S.-Iran negotiations, stating: “…What can be discussed at this point? Here, the issues of stability take precedence over all other issues, with security and energy emerging as one of the most sensitive topics, in light of the dependence of the global markets and their deep reliance on the stable flow [of goods] from the region. The security of the maritime routes is an issue that cannot be put off, due to its direct ramifications for international trade and global economic stability – along with the need for establishing clearer rules for limiting escalation…

“All eyes are also turned to the quality of the possible guarantees. This is because at this point, talks about positive intentions or general commitments are insufficient – rather, there is a clear need for stricter arrangements that can prevent a return to the cycle of escalation. This issue must be at the center of any possible dialogue, because without it, [any] calm will remain temporary [in nature] and will not develop into a path towards lasting peace.

“Consultation with the GCC countries regarding any permanent solution is vital. This is because of the war’s clear negative impact on their security and stability, and due to the tremendous ramifications for their economic interests in light of their sensitive position at the heart of the balance of global energy and their sensitive geographical location. Similarly, the security of the maritime routes and the stability of the oil and gas markets are closely linked to their strategic outlook. Ignoring these interests is likely to undermine any possible agreement.

“Thus, their interests must be included in the suggested understandings, not only in order to guarantee the stability of the agreement, but also to prevent the renewal of tensions in the region that is critical to them. They have political and economic means that can support [the initiatives] and tilt the scales in favor of stability, turning any temporary calm into a stable, balanced, and long-term pathway.”[3]

Senior Saudi Journalists: An Agreement With Iran Must Not Be Reached Without The Gulf Countries

Prominent Saudi journalist Zaid bin Kami, deputy CEO of the Saudi news outlets Al-Araby and Al-Hadath, similarly wrote: “… As has been widely discussed in recent days, any U.S.-Iran agreement must not be reached without the Gulf countries. These countries were not party to the decisions made regarding the war, but it is they who have been harmed more than anyone else – from a security, economic, and strategic perspective. It is thus crucial that they take part in any agreement. Their participation in any negotiations is not a political option, but rather a necessity due to the scope of the damage and costs. [In this context,] the U.S. must remember the crisis it has been in since the [1983] attack on its Beirut embassy and many other incidents.”[4]

UAE Daily Al-Khalij: The Gulf Countries Must Participate In The Negotiations With Iran – And Its Missile Threat Must Be A Central Issue

The March 26, 2026 editorial in the Emirati daily Al-Khaleej, titled “The Security Of The Gulf – A Pillar In Of The New Negotiations,” said: “…The talk about direct U.S.-Iran negotiations taking place soon is still only beginning, and there is a need for further clarification and close examination of the mutual conditions presented. The most important thing is that the negotiations take into consideration the essential security needs of the region, and particularly those of the Gulf countries, which have been subject to heavy attacks from the Iranian side, under weak rationalizations and excuses…

“If the issue of [Iran’s] nuclear [program] may be the future priority of the negotiations – if they indeed take place – there is also the equally important issue of Iran’s missile project, which threatens the region and neighboring countries. This has become obvious in this war, during which the threat of these missiles and drones has been out of control. Eliminating it has become a necessity, and it must be a central issue in the negotiations, [which must include] the direct participation of the countries that were harmed – because the Gulf region was directly targeted by these missiles, violating the [Gulf countries’] sovereignty and security and causing great economic and human losses.”[5]

Editor-In-Chief Of UAE Daily: An Agreement With Iran Cannot Rely On Blind Trust – Actionable Guarantees Are A Necessity

Muhammad Salah Al-Din Al-Houni, editor-in-chief of the UAE daily Al-Arab, wrote on March 25: “…Trump’s transition from the language of direct military threats to dialogue with Iran… as important as it is, must not be viewed [by the Gulf countries] as a satisfactory guarantee for permanent stability, as long as the other side in Tehran remains without a clear [political] center of gravity that can be trusted and negotiated with…

“In this context, what stands out is the main problem facing any serious diplomatic path: Who is there in Iran to negotiate with? The Iranian regime – whose top military and security have been killed recently – no longer has a clear hierarchy that provides a reliable partner for any agreement. The elimination of the leaders… has exposed the chaos in Iran’s command room[s], making it difficult to identify the element that is, in practical terms, qualified to make fateful decisions, such as a ceasefire or joining a strategic accord.

“This problem makes any path of negotiations a dangerous adventure: How can trust be built with a regime whose representative at the negotiations table does not have an adequate capability to adhere to what is agreed?

“The past experience with Iran does not arouse optimism. Time and again, Tehran has shown a great capacity to exploit periods of calm to reshuffle its cards, strengthen its proxies in the region, and develop its missile and nuclear projects. The 2015 [JCPOA] nuclear deal is the best example of this – Iran took advantage of the period when the sanctions were lifted to unprecedentedly strengthen its influence in the region, making no actual compromises in its behavior that undermines [regional] stability.

“What appears today as a diplomatic breakthrough [in negotiations] might be just a short reprieve in a long war that would [in practice] give the Iranian regime a valuable opportunity to catch its breath, reorganize its ranks, and strengthen its capabilities, after a series of painful blows that undermined its military and security structure. This is the real danger of which the countries of the Gulf and the region must be aware… and these diplomatic efforts must be viewed only as an initial step, and not a final solution. Diplomacy alone, without the backing of deterrence and force, can become a trap that would give Iran the time it needs to recuperate…

“The Gulf countries must also understand that any agreement or understanding with Iran cannot rely on blind trust – but must rely on strict oversight mechanisms and verifiable actionable guarantees, based on the bitter lessons of the past.

“The diplomacy we have recently seen is desirable and welcome – and, furthermore, it is the lowest-cost option in preventing deterioration into all-out regional war, which no side wants. But diplomacy alone, with no reliable Iranian partner that can meet its commitments, is not enough to ensure permanent stability. Thus, strategic deterrence and awareness are most crucial today, in order to ensure that this calm does not turn into a brief reprieve that would enable Iran to reshuffle its cards ahead of the next round of escalation.

“The region is today at a crossroads, and the choice is not between diplomacy or deterrence, but rather between diplomacy backed by deterrence [on the one hand] and an illusion of security that will disappear at Iran’s first attempt.”[6]

 

[1] Alarabiya.net, March 26, 2026.

[2] Al-Jazirah (Saudi Arabia), March 29, 2026.

[3] Al-Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), March 25, 2026.

[4] Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), March 26, 2026.

[5] Al-Khalij (UAE), March 26, 2026.

[6] Al-Arab (London), March 25, 2026.