Gulf states hold fast to diplomacy amid regional turmoil

The 12-day Israeli-American war on Iran was a renewed test of Gulf wisdom, affirming that war must not be seen as a solution to the Middle East’s crises. To prevent such confrontations from recurring, there is an urgent need for a security framework that resolves regional conflicts through political means, not military force, as the region’s prosperity and development remain under constant threat from ongoing wars.

Recent changes in the region can be understood in light of the Israeli-American strikes on Iran, the Israeli war on Iran and Lebanon, and the wave of violent transformations sweeping the Middle East in recent months, marked by military and security threats, shifting regional power dynamics, and a fragile security landscape in the region.

The Gulf Arab states have consistently demonstrated their willingness to engage with all countries in the region and have supported the use of peaceful means to resolve crises. They have taken the initiative to open channels of dialogue with all parties. However, some actors continue to pursue dual-track policies, projecting diplomacy in official forums while advancing different agendas behind the scenes. These actors escalate tensions on the ground even as their political leaders call for calm and dialogue. In contrast, the Arab Gulf states are working to reduce the threats posed by armed groups in the region, safeguard the security of waterways, and ensure the smooth flow of goods and international trade.

The Arab Gulf states opposed the Israeli aggression against Iran, calling for an immediate halt to it and advocating for a peaceful resolution to the dispute over the nuclear programme. Their rejection of targeting Iran reflects a clear and consistent policy based on respect for state sovereignty and adherence to the principles of international law. At the same time, this position also holds true for any targeting of Qatar or any other Arab country by Iran, as such actions pose a serious threat to regional stability. If Iran genuinely seeks to build trust with the Gulf and Arab states, it must commit to refraining from such behaviour in the future.

The current stage is not only defined by wars and conflicts but also by a deeper shift in the philosophy of development and prosperity. The Arab Gulf states now pursue an ambitious agenda to build international relations based on trust, aimed at unleashing their economic and technological potential. This approach is guided by political wisdom that recognises the region’s growing threats and the urgent need to reshape the regional landscape around new priorities centred on stability and sustainable development.

Recently, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for “opening a new chapter with the Gulf states” based on a policy of good neighbourliness. While such a call is not new from Iran, its significance lies in its current regional context and timing. However, it raises questions: Is it a tactical move driven by internal and external pressures following the 12-day war, or does it reflect a strategic shift and a genuine change in Iran’s foreign policy towards its regional neighbours? Despite numerous past attempts at rapprochement, the outcomes have consistently fallen short of expectations. The true measure of success lies in tangible progress on the ground, particularly in curbing the activities of Iran’s regional proxies in Arab countries.

Policies can shift when there is a will; moving from expanding influence in the countries of the region through the recruitment of proxies to supporting the stability of states, from rivalry among Gulf countries to cooperation and partnership on future-oriented issues, and from an arms race to a race for development. What is needed is to demonstrate that joint cooperation is the wager of the future, built on mutual respect, adherence to the principles of good neighbourliness, non-interference in internal affairs, and the peaceful resolution of disputes without resorting to force or threats. Such an approach would strengthen security and stability while opening broader horizons for development and prosperity projects for all.

The Gulf states hold significant economic weight among the world’s major economies, and the region is steadily advancing along the path of development, particularly in the fields of technology, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure, while managing its wealth wisely. Ideological currents appear to be declining, giving way to the rise of states grounded in economic progress.

In the light of decades of tension and conflict, the most realistic approach to the region’s challenges is to embrace a new beginning that is built on calm, cooperation, and partnership.

While the Arab Gulf states seek to avoid further conflicts and zero-sum approaches, particularly given the region’s interconnected nature, they recognise that any collective security framework must rise above disputes and adopt a formula that prioritises shared interests. It is essential to invest in the present and future through a realistic and balanced approach that safeguards sovereignty, based on political and diplomatic cooperation, flexible negotiations, and clear prioritisation of security and development goals. However, this does not mean turning a blind eye to unresolved issues of the past, such as the status of the three occupied islands: Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, but rather calls for pursuing mechanisms that support peaceful and lasting solutions.

Genuine, not merely ostensible, dialogue is the true path to resolving Gulf-Iranian differences, especially when accompanied by development investments and economic projects among the countries of the region. This process requires mutual trust from all parties. The Gulf approach reflects a deep understanding of the region’s challenges and the prerequisites for long-term stability, with a clear focus on peace, coexistence, and the rejection of chaos and the fragmentation of states into warring sectarian and ethnic factions. Political dialogue is both possible and necessary on contentious issues such as ensuring the peaceful nature of nuclear programmes, setting clear limits on the development and use of ballistic missiles and drones, ending interference in the internal affairs of other nations, halting support for extremist armed groups, securing energy corridors, and promoting peace and stability across the region.

If there is political will, Iran can reassess its relationship with the region, adopt a more flexible policy aligned with the principles of good neighbourliness, and open the door to joint projects spanning all Gulf countries and potentially most Arab states. However, it may also choose to pursue new security arrangements, capitalising on the outcomes of the 12-day war to impose a new regional reality. This will ultimately depend on the Iranian leadership’s vision for the future and Tehran’s strategic movements in the region.

In any case, the Arab Gulf states have a range of options at their disposal. Their hands remain extended in cooperation with any regional actors genuinely committed to peace and development, even as their eyes remain firmly fixed on the evolving dynamics of the Middle East to safeguard their national security and regional interests.

Rashed Hasan Al Hosani is a Research Assistant at Trends Research and Advisory