Gulf States

Former IDF officer: US has shifted from Iran nuclear deal to regime-collapse strategy

Behind the stalled Iran talks lies a quiet US pivot: not a deal, but a strategy to collapse the regime. Or Horvitz breaks down what the headlines are missing.

A person holds a placard representing a US flag, with an image of Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on a billboard in the background, on the day of a ceremony marking 40 days since Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, in Tehran, Iran, April 9, 2026.
FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises following a strike on the Bapco Oil Refinery, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, on Sitra Island Bahrain, March 9, 2026.

Iranian attacks caused billions in damages to US intelligence sites and hardware - report

US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent takes questions from reporters as he speaks during a press conference in Washington, DC on August 24, 2026. Bessent, in a column for the Financial Times, declared that an "economic D-Day" had begun against Tehran on Monday.

Iran economic sanctions leading to extremist regime elements gaining power, dissident says - report

CENTCOM's Adm. Brad Cooper meets with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir on January 24, 2026.

Shin Bet foils terror plot in West Bank as Iran, Oman reach agreement on shares of Hormuz revenue


Iran claims to strike US-linked targets, warns Gulf states not to aid attacks

According to a statement from Iran's Foreign Ministry, the US attack on Iran, and an alleged attack on Lebanon "in coordination with the United States," are both violations of the ceasefire agreement

An military UAV over the backdrop of an Iran flag; illustrative.

Iran reasserts its right to control shipping in Strait of Hormuz after ship hit near Oman

Tehran reasserted its claim over the Strait of Hormuz and warned Gulf states after a joint US-Gulf statement rejected Iranian toll demands, while reports said tankers were turned back by the IRGC.

 IRAN-US-ISRAEL-WAR-TRANSPORT-HORMUZ In this picture obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency on June 18, 2026, vessels are seen anchored in Bandar Abbas along the Strait of Hormuz.

Gulf countries weigh next steps after Iran war amid Rubio visit to Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE

Rubio was in the UAE and then Kuwait. The visits to Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE are important, as these countries were attacked by Iran during the latest conflict.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the media upon his arrival at Al Bateen Executive Airport to discuss the interim deal between the US and Iran with Arab Gulf allies, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, June 23, 2026.

Pause, not peace: Left out of talks, Gulf states brace for next round of Iran war

Arab analysts, policymakers say the agreement may reduce tensions temporarily, but it does little to address concerns over Iran’s regional influence, missile program, and support for proxies

A year ago, the Israel-based Coalition for Regional Security expressed hope that US President Donald Trump could forge a regional alliance for peace, but Gulf analysts do not believe Saudi Arabia and other states would normalize ties with Israel due to the war in Gaza.
Premium

Airlines should still avoid airspace over Iran after framework deal, EU agency warns

Short-term violations of the US-Iran ceasefire remain possible, in particular in and around the Strait of Hormuz and neighboring airspace, the agency said.

 EasyJet airplane

Rubio lands in Gulf to sell Trump's $300 billion Iran peace deal to wary allies

Arriving in Abu Dhabi late on Tuesday for a three-day Gulf trip, Rubio is undertaking his first high-level diplomatic mission on the agreement reached last week to end the four-month-old war.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks with UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba upon his arrival at Al Bateen Executive Airport to discuss the interim deal between the US and Iran with Arab Gulf allies, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, June 23, 2026.

Trump, Rubio praise Iran deal progress, 'Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon'

As US-Lebanon talks continue in Washington, Rubio noted that "the future of Lebanon belongs to the Lebanese people through their sovereign, elected government."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the media upon arrival at al-Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi on June 23, 2026, on the first stop of a tour of Gulf states aimed at showing solidarity with key allies hit hard by the Middle East war.

Rubio heads to Gulf to sell Iran deal amid regional concerns

Gulf Arab leaders are expected to press Marco Rubio over a draft Iran agreement they fear could reshape regional security and boost Tehran’s power.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio gives a thumbs up as he departs at the Liszt Ferenc International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, February 16, 2026.

UN claims Israel targeted Gazan children, Israel-Lebanon talks begin in DC

Oman announces temporary maritime corridor • Lebanon floats returning lost IAF pilot Ron Arad in Lebanese prisoner exchange • Iran says only it will control unfrozen assets

People march through neighborhoods in Nabatieh, during a religious procession marking Ashura, following an interim deal between the US and Iran, Lebanon, June 23, 2026.

Majority see MoU as Iran win, Israel security loss; Lebanon ceasefire prompts IDF doctrine rethink

Ghalibaf, Araghchi leave for Oman, will discuss Hormuz • Majority of Israelis see MoU as win for Iran, loss for Israel's security • Lebanon ceasefire shows need for IDF rethink on slow war doctrine

IDF troops operating in the Wadi Saluki area of southern Lebanon.