TEHRAN: Frustration with the United States is growing among Gulf Arab states over President Donald Trump’s handling of the war with Iran, The Washington Post reported.
Regional partners continue to rely on Washington for security and military support. However, growing doubts are pushing some Gulf states to consider other defense options.
The report cited Gulf and Western officials who spoke anonymously about the changing regional mood.
Gulf States Question US Iran Policy
According to The Washington Post, several Gulf states believe they have paid a heavy price for the conflict with Iran.
One Gulf official said Trump started the war and left regional countries to deal with its consequences.
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The official also said anger toward Washington had reached unprecedented levels following US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February.
Meanwhile, Gulf states remain closely linked to the United States. Qatar and Bahrain host major US military bases. Washington also remains a key arms supplier for the region.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan Defense Pact
A senior European official pointed to a recent defense agreement involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan.
The official described the agreement as a direct signal to Washington. According to the official, the pact shows that major Muslim countries want to diversify their security partnerships.
The official said Gulf states no longer view dependence on the United States as enough to meet their security needs.
However, the shift does not mean Gulf countries are ending their long-standing ties with Washington.
White House Defends Gulf Relations
A White House official rejected the idea that US relations with Gulf partners have weakened.
Speaking anonymously, the official said Trump has strong relationships with all Gulf partners.
The official also said Washington has maintained regular contact with regional allies since before the strikes on Iran.
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Representatives from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to the report.
Experts Warn of Eroding Trust
Firas Maksad, director for the Middle East and North Africa at Eurasia Group, said Gulf allies feel drawn into a conflict that Trump is struggling to resolve.
He described Trump’s Iran policy as erratic and unpredictable.
Anna Jacobs, a non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, also pointed to declining trust in the United States.
She said regional allies increasingly feel that US actions are making the region less secure.
Gulf States Still Rely on Washington
Despite the growing frustration, a complete break with Washington appears unlikely.
A Western diplomat said the shift does not amount to an end to US-Gulf security ties.
A European official also said attitudes toward the war have hardened significantly since the conflict began.
However, Gulf states still lack an immediate replacement for decades of security cooperation with the United States.
One Gulf official acknowledged that regional countries remain tied to their partnership with Washington despite growing dissatisfaction.
As a result, Gulf states may seek wider security options while continuing to rely on the United States for major defense needs
