Gulf countries want Trump to end Iran war -- but not yet, officials say [View all]

Source: WaPo

As the Trump administration makes what it says are initial peace overtures to Iran, U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf, initially skittish about the war, have become fearful of a hasty settlement that leaves the region less stable than it was a month ago, officials and analysts say.

While Iran has been battered by nearly a month of U.S.-Israeli attacks, the war has not succeeded in toppling its government. Instead, it appears to have made the leadership in Tehran even more defiant and hard-line.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are lobbying for a decisive end to the war, through diplomatic or military means, according to a person briefed on that matter and three officials involved in the affairs of the region, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share details with the media.

If Tehran doesn’t agree to severe restrictions on its missile, drone and nuclear programs, Saudi and Emirati leadership have indicated they would support an escalated military campaign aimed at pressuring concessions at the negotiating table, the officials, two European and one Arab, said. Tehran, for its part, says it is not engaged in talks, and does not appear ready to give in.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/03/26/iran-gulf-us-peace-deal-trump/