Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, urged the US to delay a planned strike on Iran, hoping diplomacy could prevent escalation, according to US President Donald Trump. Despite mediation efforts, major differences remain: both Washington and Tehran see themselves in a strong position and are reluctant to compromise. Iran demands sanctions relief and security guarantees, while tensions persist over nuclear capabilities and trust. Gulf states are divided between pushing negotiations and deterring Iran, but broadly aim to avoid war while containing perceived regional threats.
DW speaks to Dr. H.A. Hellyer, a geopolitics expert who looks at the Middle East at the Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies think tank.