GCC in the news as Gulf states push for diplomacy, energy ties, and regional stability amid Iran tensions and oil shifts. Big players shaping the scene.
Britain has secured a long-term trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council, covering Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The pact is forecast to be worth about £3.7 billion annually and expands tariff-free access for many goods and services, while preserving UK standards and data rules. Critics say it lacks enforceable human rights protections.
Multiple attacks near Oman, including the targeting of oil tankers Skylight and Safeen Prestige, have heightened regional tensions. Incidents follow Iran's claims of control over the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran, raising fears of escalation and disruptions to global oil supplies.
European leaders met in Brussels to condemn Iran's missile and drone strikes on Gulf countries, calling for de-escalation. The talks occurred amid rising regional tensions following US-Israeli attacks on Iran, with European nations preparing to defend their interests and allies in the region.
The US dispatched 2,200 Marines to the Middle East amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran. President Trump signals the conflict could last weeks, with potential ground involvement and internal Iranian power struggles influencing the timeline. Iran retaliates with missile attacks on Israel and regional targets.
People trapped in Dubai amid Iranian retaliatory strikes have been evacuated, with many fearing for their safety. Families have been reunited at Edinburgh Airport, while Americans in Dubai report difficulty in securing evacuation assistance. The situation remains tense as Iran's attacks continue to impact the region.
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.
Russia continues to support Iran amid ongoing Middle East conflicts, denying requests for military aid but providing intelligence to help Iran target US forces. Iran and Russia reaffirm their partnership as Iran faces US and Israeli attacks, with Putin expressing condolences over Iran's leadership crisis.
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.
Gulf nations express disappointment over the US's lack of warning and support during recent Iran-related attacks, accusing Washington of prioritizing Israel and American troops while Gulf states fend for themselves amid escalating missile and drone strikes.
Recent reports indicate Russia is providing Iran with intelligence on US military assets amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Russia's support appears targeted, with Iran launching retaliatory attacks. US officials downplay Russia's role, emphasizing Iran's degraded capabilities. The situation escalates regional tensions.
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.
Iran has launched ballistic missiles and drones at all six Gulf Cooperation Council states, prompting extensive interception efforts by US, Israeli, and regional forces. The conflict has raised concerns over depleted missile stocks and the deployment of new counter-drone systems, with potential long-term impacts on regional security and military readiness.
The conflict in the Middle East has intensified with US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Iran's missile attacks on US bases and Gulf countries, and rising regional instability. Support within the US is divided, and the situation remains highly volatile as international powers respond.
Tensions in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz threaten Africa's energy supply, raising fuel costs, inflation, and economic vulnerability. Countries heavily reliant on imported petroleum face supply shocks, with potential impacts on trade, household costs, and regional stability.
Iran's leadership is confronting the reality of war after the US withdrawal from the JCPOA and recent attacks on Gulf states. Iran has inflicted significant damage, closing the Strait of Hormuz and targeting Gulf infrastructure, amid ongoing regional and global tensions.
The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively blocked by Iranian actions, prompting sharp oil price rises and global energy concerns. States across Asia and the Middle East are implementing coping measures, while India faces the dual risk of energy disruption and high remittance dependence.
Since late February, Gulf Arab states have experienced over 2,000 missile and drone attacks, mainly targeting US and regional infrastructure. Iran denies responsibility, calling for regional cooperation and US-Israeli de-escalation to foster stability. Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia are improving despite ongoing tensions.
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 US reports striking over 13,000 Iranian targets, including air defenses, navy, and weapons factories. Despite claims of significant degradation, Iran retains substantial missile and drone capabilities, with ongoing regional threats and limited destruction of underground and mobile systems. The situation remains complex as Iran continues firing missiles and drones.
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.