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Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/03/26/iran-gulf-us-peace-deal-trump/
Gulf Countries Want Trump to End Iran War - but Not Yet
(Washington Post) Susannah George - As the Trump administration makes initial peace overtures to Iran, U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf have become fearful of a hasty settlement that leaves the region less stable. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are lobbying for a decisive end to the war. If Tehran doesn't agree to severe restrictions on its missile, drone and nuclear programs, Saudi and Emirati leadership have indicated they would support an escalated military campaign, European and Arab officials said. Tehran, for its part, does not appear ready to give in. Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain support the Saudi and Emirati positions. "They want a humble Iran," said a senior European official. "Iran believes they are winning," and agreeing to a ceasefire now would set a precedent that Tehran can launch attacks against its neighbors and shut the Strait of Hormuz for leverage in the future, one Arab official said. He said other regional officials are also concerned that Hizbullah in Lebanon would be empowered if the U.S. agreed to a ceasefire now. Iranian attacks in the Persian Gulf have jarred the region. Iranian drone attacks struck luxury hotels, airports and energy infrastructure, causing tens of billions of dollars in damage. U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf "want to reestablish some sort of balance of deterrence," attempting to identify ways to dissuade continued Iranian attacks without making themselves more vulnerable, said Andreas Krieg, a Middle East analyst and lecturer at Kings College London.