Iran View24 – Thursday, May 29, 2025
Three sources familiar with recent high-level talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar have confirmed that all three Persian Gulf nations opposed any military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities and instead encouraged Trump to continue diplomatic efforts toward a new nuclear agreement with Tehran.
This marks a significant shift in regional dynamics, as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf Arab states had previously opposed the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran (JCPOA). However, changing security calculations appear to have prompted a reassessment of the value of diplomacy.
According to a report by Axios, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani all conveyed their concerns to Trump during his regional visit. The leaders warned that any military action against Iran would risk retaliation against their own countries, which host major U.S. military bases.
A source told Axios that Emir Al Thani explicitly warned Trump that “in the event of military conflict, Persian Gulf countries would be more affected than any other party involved.”
Saudi and Qatari officials expressed particular concern about a potential unilateral Israeli strike against Iran, while the UAE emphasized its strong preference for a diplomatic solution.
U.S. officials also confirmed that all three Persian Gulf leaders voiced support for the Trump administration’s negotiations with Iran.
In a public statement on Wednesday, Trump confirmed that he had a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the previous Thursday, during which he urged Netanyahu not to proceed with any strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Trump added that he believes the nuclear issue can be resolved through “a very strong agreement” that could potentially be signed within the next two weeks.
Another topic raised during Trump’s regional tour was a proposal to rename the Persian Gulf as the “Arabian Gulf officially.” However, Trump ultimately decided not to proceed with the announcement, reportedly due to concerns that it might offend regional sensitivities.
According to two Arab officials, the decision was also influenced by a lack of consensus among Persian Gulf nations, with some warning that such a move could unnecessarily escalate tensions with Iran.
