Gulf countries want Trump to end Iran war — but not yet, officials say - The Washington Post

The Washington Post
March 26, 2026
3 min read

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Gulf nations are signaling to Trump administration they want Iran war resolution but are resisting immediate de-escalation due to security concerns.

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Gulf nations are signaling to the Trump administration that they want a resolution to the Iran conflict, but are resisting immediate de-escalation, according to officials cited by The Washington Post. The Gulf states—key U.S. allies in the Middle East—face a strategic dilemma: they seek to contain Iranian influence and regional threats, but worry that a rapid U.S. withdrawal or ceasefire could leave them vulnerable. Their cautious stance reflects anxiety that ending military pressure on Iran too quickly could embolden Tehran and undermine their own security interests. The position puts pressure on Trump's team to balance its stated goal of reducing military commitments abroad with the security demands of longtime regional partners. How the administration navigates this tension could reshape U.S. Middle East policy and determine the scope of any future Iran negotiations.

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