GCC: regional bloc coordinating Gulf states on energy, security and diplomacy
As of mid-March 2026, Iran exerts selective control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint through which 20% of global oil passes daily. Since the US-Israel strikes on February 28, multiple attacks on vessels have disrupted traffic, causing tanker flows to collapse by over 90%. Iran allows limited passage to allies via negotiated safe corridors, while many ships transit with tracking systems off. The US has deployed Marines and threatens military action if Iran mines the strait.
Since early March 2026, Ukraine has deployed more than 200 anti‑drone experts and is supplying interceptor drones and know‑how to Gulf states and Jordan to counter Iranian Shahed attacks after US‑Israeli strikes on Iran. Kyiv has reported evidence of Russian components and intelligence sharing with Iran as Moscow denies lethal support.
Ukraine has been offering its battlefield-tested interceptor drones to the United States and Gulf partners to counter Iranian Shahed drones. Kyiv seeks high-end air-defense missiles in return, while Ukraine’s industry argues it can bolster global defenses without compromising its own needs.
Regional conflict involving Iran has led to closures of key Gulf airports, disrupting air cargo routes for medicines, including critical cancer drugs. Countries like Saudi Arabia are rerouting shipments via China and Singapore, with fears of shortages within weeks. The crisis highlights vulnerabilities in global health supply chains.
Gulf states are moving from neutrality to active support of the US and Israel against Iran, following recent attacks on energy infrastructure and threats over the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are preparing to join the conflict, escalating regional tensions.
True Religion's CEO Michael Buckley has revitalized the brand by embracing its Y2K heritage and broadening its customer base. Meanwhile, US retail sales are forecasted to grow 4.4% in 2026, despite geopolitical tensions impacting consumer confidence and supply chains. The Gulf region faces a subdued Eid season due to ongoing conflicts.
Iran launched large-scale missile and drone strikes against Gulf Cooperation Council states and Jordan, claiming to respond to US-Israeli actions. The attacks caused civilian casualties, infrastructure damage, and heightened regional tensions. The UN debates Iran's legal right to self-defense and calls for de-escalation.
Iran's military announced plans to target energy and communication facilities in the Gulf, including nuclear power plants, if US Marines land in the region. The US and Israel are considering military options amid rising tensions and threats of escalation.
On March 23-24, 2026, US President Donald Trump announced a five-day pause on planned strikes against Iran's energy infrastructure, citing "very good and productive" talks with Iranian officials. Trump named envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as negotiators. Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf denied any negotiations, calling US claims "fake news." The US-Iran conflict continues with Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.
Iran rejects US peace proposals, demanding recognition of sovereignty and sanctions removal. The US claims progress in negotiations, while regional hostilities intensify with Israeli strikes and missile exchanges. Iran's response signals a hardening stance as diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes.
As of early April 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has secured 10-year defense agreements with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, focusing on sharing Ukraine's expertise in countering Iranian drone attacks. These deals aim to bolster Gulf states' defenses while providing Ukraine with financial and technological support amid ongoing conflicts involving Russia and Iran.
The war in Iran persists with ongoing airstrikes and missile launches. Intelligence indicates Iran has preserved a substantial number of missiles and launchers, including underground reserves, and remains capable of regional strikes. US and allied forces report extensive targeting of Iran’s missile production and storage facilities, while Tehran continues to deploy missiles and drones in the region.
The conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel has intensified over the past week. US and Israeli strikes have targeted Iran's nuclear and industrial sites, with Iran responding with missile attacks and closing the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump suggests the war could end in two to three weeks, but tensions remain high.
Iran has imposed tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, violating international maritime law and escalating tensions in the region. Despite a fragile US-Iran ceasefire, Iran controls passage through the strait via a permissions-based system, charging up to $2 million per vessel. The closure has disrupted global oil and fertilizer supplies, with hundreds of ships stranded and trade volumes down over 90%.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led to significant economic and military costs. The US has spent over $22 billion on operations, while Arab economies face losses up to $194 billion, with millions at risk of increased poverty and unemployment. The situation remains highly volatile as the war continues.
President Trump has issued an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to compile lists of eligible voters and barring the U.S. Postal Service from sending absentee ballots to anyone not on these lists. The order aims to restrict mail-in voting ahead of the November midterms but faces multiple legal challenges citing constitutional overreach and risks of voter disenfranchisement. The American Postal Workers Union has launched a campaign defending mail voting, emphasizing its safety and efficiency.
On April 2, 2026, a virtual summit chaired by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper convened 35 countries, excluding the US, to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's blockade, a response to US-Israeli strikes, has halted nearly all traffic, spiking global oil prices. The coalition aims for diplomatic and military planning post-ceasefire, while the US declines direct involvement.
President Trump issued a deadline for Iran to make a deal, warning of military action as US and Iranian forces search for a missing pilot. The conflict has expanded with strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, retaliation in the Gulf, and regional missile exchanges, heightening global energy fears.
The US has announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, brokered by Pakistan, to allow negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz and regional stability. Iran is shifting control of shipping routes, while regional tensions remain high. Talks are underway in Islamabad to reach a lasting peace agreement.
Following a fragile two-week ceasefire, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks on Gulf Arab nations, including the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain. These strikes target oil and energy infrastructure, raising concerns over the ceasefire's stability and regional security. The US and Iran remain engaged in negotiations.
Gulf states have summoned Iraqi diplomats over drone attacks launched from Iraq, despite ongoing US-Iran ceasefire. Saudi Arabia has restored oil pipeline capacity after attacks damaged energy facilities, which continue to impact global markets. The situation remains tense as regional conflicts persist.
Ukrainian forces have publicly confirmed their involvement in operations using domestically produced interceptor drones against Iranian Shahed drones in several countries. Zelenskyy states this support aims to help partner nations strengthen their air defenses amid ongoing regional conflicts, with Ukraine also receiving weapons and financial aid in return.
A two-week ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran has paused six weeks of conflict. Despite claims of victory, Iran retains critical military capabilities, and regional tensions remain high. Disputes over scope and future negotiations highlight ongoing instability in the region.
The EU is ready to collaborate with Gulf countries to develop new energy projects that bypass the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to reduce reliance on the waterway disrupted by regional conflicts. This move follows recent tensions and infrastructure damage, with the EU emphasizing energy security and regional stability today, Saturday, 25 April 2026.
The United Arab Emirates has announced it has withdrawn from OPEC and the OPEC+ alliance effective May 1, saying a review of its production policy and expanded domestic capacity require greater national control. The move removes a major spare-capacity holder and will weaken OPEC's ability to stabilise global oil supply when Gulf shipping resumes.
GCC leaders in Jeddah are coordinating a unified regional response to Iran-related attacks and the war, while pressing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accelerate cross-border projects in transport, energy and water security.
The United Kingdom has secured a long‑term trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The deal is worth about £3.7 billion per year in the long run and removes most tariffs on British goods while preserving UK standards. Services access is locked in, with data flow commitments and investor protections included.