US-Iran Hormuz Negotiations Alarm Gulf States

Fears among Gulf states have been heightened by a warning from Dmitry Medvedev regarding the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz. Negotiations between the United States and Iran are increasingly focusing on uranium enrichment and Iran's leverage over the Strait, which carries a fifth of global oil supplies. Gulf officials are concerned that this approach prioritizes global economic stability over regional security, potentially entrenching instability. They argue that Iran's missile program and proxies, which have repeatedly attacked the region, are being marginalized in the talks. Iranian security sources view the Strait of Hormuz as a 'golden asset' and a powerful deterrent. Gulf states, including Israel, feel sidelined in these discussions, despite bearing the economic and security consequences of the ongoing conflict. They advocate for a phased approach to sanctions relief and a more inclusive decision-making process involving regional actors.