Gulf Cooperation Council

UAE tried to coordinate with Saudi Arabia, Qatar to strike Iran during recent war - report

The UAE attempted to convince Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Gulf states to coordinate a military response to Iran’s missile and drone attacks, but neighbors refused, sources told Bloomberg.

An Emirati F-16E fighter jet; illustrative.
UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei speaks, on the day of the Make it in the Emirates (MIITE) conference, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 4, 2026.

Fractures rock Gulf alliance as UAE quits OPEC during Iran war - analysis

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi chairs an extraordinary meeting of Arab League foreign ministers day before the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in Istanbul, Turkey, June 20, 2025

After Iran war, attack on Gulf States, will the GCC withdraw from Arab League - analysis

 A view of Burj Khalifa, after an Iranian attack, following United States and Israel strikes on Iran, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026

After the war: A more coordinated, but still divided, Gulf - opinion


Iran’s aggression forces Gulf states to rethink regional security - opinion

The UAE is redefining Gulf security, prioritizing capability and committed partners over rhetoric and ideology.

Diplomatic advisor to the UAE president, Anwar Gargash speaks at the World Governments Summit, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 3, 2026.

Gulf countries seeking seat at negotiation table following Iranian attacks

“The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stressed on Thursday the importance of Gulf states participating in any talks between Iran and the United States to end the war in the Middle East,” UAE news said.

 Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, US President Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa attend a group photo session with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 14, 2025.

Can France lead the charge in disarming Hezbollah? - opinion

France’s role in Lebanon could determine whether Hezbollah is contained or strengthened.

ANTI-MISSILE BATTERES fire interception missiles toward incoming ballistic missiles launched from Lebanon, as seen in northern Israel, during the war with Iran and Hezbollah and ongoing missile fire toward Israel, March 16, 2026.

UN resolution condemning Iran leaves the country unexpectedly isolated - analysis

For years, Iranian-backed militias and terror groups attacked countries, and Iran carried out attacks directly, but the regime never seemed to face any censure.

US AND UK representatives vote in favor of a sanctions resolution regarding the situation in Iran and the Middle East a United Nations Security Council at UN headquarters in New York City, US, March 12, 2026.

Tehran's miscalculation: How Iranian missiles brought Gulf states, Israel together - analysis

By targeting every GCC member with missiles and drones, Tehran has achieved the unthinkable: placing Israel and Qatar on the same team. This strategic blunder may finally cement a regional axis.

Iran and Israel flags on Middle east geopolitical map.

Bahrain unveils massive reform package to tackle $50 billion debt crisis

The reform package includes higher electricity and water tariffs, with an exception for citizens’ first homes, which will continue to receive subsidized rates up to a specified limit.

BAHRAIN'S MINISTER of Finance and National Economy, Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa al-Khalifa speaks during a financial conference in Manama, Bahrain February 27, 2019.

Egypt's Sisi refers to Israel as 'enemy' for first time since before 1977 Sadat visit to Jerusalem

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi labeled Israel an “enemy” at the Arab-Islamic summit, saying its actions threaten Egypt’s security and future peace deals, including by causing Gazans to flee.

President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi attends the 34th Arab League summit, in Baghdad, Iraq, May 17, 2025; illustrative.

Tariffs rattle gulf markets, but some economists see a silver lining

Analysts indicate that low US tariffs for Gulf countries may attract international companies, but others caution that global tariffs could threaten vital oil income and raise consumer goods costs.

 Family group photos of all the participating members during the Member States of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) Summit (ASEAN-GCC Summit) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 20, 2023

Voices from the Arab press: Trump’s Gaza plan remains a fantasy

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

 (L-R) US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a backdrop of Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

UAE looks to China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiative for future endeavors - analysis

The UAE, like many countries, has trade with China – but that isn’t a zero-sum game in terms of ties to the West.

 China’s Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, China’s President Xi Jinping, United Arab Emirates’ President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Tunisia’s President Kais Saied and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi