Gulf countries want Trump to end Iran war — but not yet, officials say - The Washington Post
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Gulf nations are signaling to Trump administration they want Iran war resolution but are resisting immediate de-escalation due to security concerns.
AI Summary
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.
Source Coverage Map
21 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
PoliticsLatest on Iran as Trump says war will end "pretty soon"
President Trump said Thursday that he is not sending troops into Iran, but he added, "if I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you," on Thursday. He also said the war is going to be over "pretty soon." CBS News' Eleanor Watson and Willie James Inman report.
National SecurityTrump cites Pearl Harbor to defend Iran war decision: 'Who knows surprise better than Japan?' - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi4AFBVV95cUxPclpWR09rY0hJZHdyVDdidjJRcUVfazFXTUZmU0dnZy1PUU02Tl9QbEI1bXBYaFJwUnYtRm9jMEdtUXlNQlMzUmgxdndnaEhueFg2anh6b1NRUzRsbDJzOG1NdEYxZlY0M0o2UTA5SHBmUVp0aHhJUGtCYjRSS1RNRWl1WjRzSURWSHRSVEpZUmJSdGdLVXA1dXBGcnFlbUJxMF9DWlktYTZlUE11SFhiellIcjNiVzU4MUk0OEJkTHpXNE9kQjFmVklmdjNkcE5OSDFWekQ5enhlTjNxdGlqSg?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump cites Pearl Harbor to defend Iran war decision: 'Who knows surprise better than Japan?'</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Global'Online diplomacy': How Trump narrates war in Iran on Truth Social
PRESS REVIEW – Friday, March 20: Donald Trump is turning to "online diplomacy" to defend his actions in Iran and lambast his critics on Truth Social. The Times of London looks at how Monica Witt, a US servicewoman-turned-spy for Iran, could play a crucial role in the war. Also: a Belgian court charges a former diplomat with involvement in the killing of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of independent DR Congo. Plus: a little possum is found among plush toys at an airport gift shop in Australia.
GlobalTrump news at a glance: president claims ignorance of Israel’s plan to strike Iranian gasfield, exposing rift
<p>Trump claimed on Truth Social that he had known nothing about the targeting of Iran’s gas reserves in advance – key US politics stories from 19 March 2026 at a glance</p><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-israel-war-on-iran">US-Israeli war</a> against Iran has exposed further divisions between the two countries after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/18/iran-intelligence-minister-esmail-khatib-killed-israel-claims">an Israeli strike on Iran’s largest gasfield angered US allies in the Gulf</a> and prompted Donald Trump to say he knew nothing in advance about the attack – a claim that Israeli officials disputed.</p><p>Speaking in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said he had spoken to Benjamin Netanyahu following the strikes on Iran’s South Pars gasfield – part of a reserve shared with Qatar – and had told the Israeli prime minister to refrain from further attacks that could escalate a regional war on energy infrastructure.</p> <a href="https://...
PoliticsTrump calls NATO "cowards" over lack of support in Iran war - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimAFBVV95cUxOMkFlM1VHM0txVDRyak1raV9VcnE2N2VvUGtGZ0h2Q3JSbTgzS1FVQ1Y2cGRUS2xBYXFKYmlTRV90d25CM3BTRGlhUG9mUjRldV9hbC1uZEtRY3BBbTY0OWpIQWxZTTFxcXIxZ0h6cGhkZ0FMdXJzWE1MdWotWXJOWktqRmZDcmg4YURseGNDWmx5bC00ZjRMUg?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump calls NATO "cowards" over lack of support in Iran war</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
PoliticsTrump makes a detour to Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis during Iran war and airport turmoil - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimAFBVV95cUxOS0gxd08tWklXWERnTGV0Y2I2djlHYTdNQjhkbFhxNEpiOU1CUHJjT3N4NFR4c005eUoyb0tVLWZPSWR2SDY4eXE0MXR2NXJGNnlaNTdxLVBMWWN5bVRhbGRIdkkzU1M4QTZUOGMzRWpBdjdoa0E5X0d1Wm1jeUZGSTNQWUFnRHk5OVhOSXZ6a3p5RVczb0JfQw?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump heads to Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis, a detour during Iran war and airport turmoil</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

Appeals court lets Trump administration hold many immigration detainees without bond
A panel of appeals court judges handed the Trump administration a major legal victory in its quest to detain large swaths of immigrants living in the country illegally without bond.
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Fentanyl found inside Barbies sold at Missouri discount store, police say

US moves to soften capital rules: ‘Big banks can declare mission accomplished’

Senate deal reached to cap insulin costs

The West's historic snow drought could bring water shortages, wildfires

Pentagon's limits on press access unconstitutional, US judge rules - Reuters






