Gulf allies, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are privately urging U.S. President Donald J. Trump to continue the war against Iran until Tehran is decisively defeated, according to U.S., Gulf, and Israeli officials cited by AP.
Officials from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain have reportedly conveyed that they do not want the conflict to end without major changes in Iran’s leadership or a significant shift in its behavior.
Saudi Arabia has argued that ending the war prematurely would not produce a sustainable outcome, emphasizing the need to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program, dismantle its ballistic missile capabilities, end support for proxy groups, and ensure the Strait of Hormuz cannot be disrupted again.
The UAE has taken a more aggressive stance, with officials reportedly pushing for increased military pressure, including the possibility of a ground operation. Kuwait and Bahrain are said to support similar measures.
Meanwhile, Oman and Qatar are favoring diplomatic solutions and continue to play a mediating role.
The push from Gulf states comes as the U.S. balances between pursuing negotiations and escalating military operations, while regional tensions and global economic impacts continue to rise.
