Gulf States in July 2026: the most important developments in politics
In July 2026 the politics of the Gulf States centered on Iranian attacks on Gulf countries and the condemnations that followed them. On July 8 Iran attacked Kuwait and Bahrain after renewed US strikes, and President Donald Trump said the peace deal was over. The UAE president, Sheikh Mohamed, flew to Kuwait on July 9 and called for Gulf unity. On July 12 an attack on the ship GFS Galaxy off Oman left one Indian crew member missing and ten rescued. Renewed attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan were condemned by the Gulf Cooperation Council, the UAE and Egypt, and Kuwait reported damage to an oil facility on July 18. Tehran suspended a framework agreement with the United States. On July 20 the Houthis announced a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia, and on July 27 and 29 Saudi Arabia reported drone and projectile attacks from Iraq, including strikes on oil facilities in the Eastern Province. Iran denied involvement. On July 30 the GCC condemned a drone attack on Egypt's Damietta port.
Diplomacy centered on the Strait of Hormuz. Indirect US-Iran talks in Doha ended on July 2, and Iran and Oman announced a deal on traffic through the strait the next day. Oman proposed two shipping corridors and told the UN it opposed transit fees. Trump said the United States would be paid to run the strait; he reportedly reversed a decision on tolls on July 16 after pressure from Gulf states. On July 27 Iran ruled out talks with the US, and on July 28 Iran and Oman discussed a plan for voluntary fees and joint control; on July 29 Iran rejected Oman's proposal to divide control equally. On July 30 the Revolutionary Guard said the strait remained closed.
Trump approved a civil nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia on July 22 and it was signed on July 23; on July 24 he said it excludes uranium enrichment. On July 26 Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke with Bahrain's King Hamad, their first call since October 7.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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