Knowledge Tree
Gulf
Also known as: Persian Gulf
Facts (74)
Sources
Iran's Strategies in Response To Changes in US-China Relations mepc.org 11 facts
claimThe Iranian government proposed the “Hormuz Peace Endeavor” (HOPE) in 2019, a security-cooperation initiative intended to include all of the Gulf’s littoral states.
claimIran's foreign policy strategy in response to changing US-China relations involves deepening ties with China, revising regional policies to align with China's influence in the Gulf, and projecting power by aiding Russia in Ukraine.
perspectiveIran perceives China’s ties with the Gulf region as an effort to create a new area of influence that is hospitable to Iran's own vision.
claimIran's perception of declining American global power in the Gulf has driven Iran to restore diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia.
claimIran envisions a multipolar world order and aspires to play a role in achieving this structure within the Gulf region.
claimIran perceives the changing relations between Beijing and Washington as a signal of China's deep strategic influence in the Gulf region.
claimChina's reliance on foreign energy plays a crucial role in its policies toward the Gulf’s oil-exporting countries.
claimIran's foreign policy strategy regarding the changing China-US relationship involves three primary approaches: deepening ties with China, revising policies to align with China's influence in the Gulf, and projecting power through military aid to Russia and anti-Israeli activities.
claimChina's mediation between Iran and Saudi Arabia indicates that Iran anticipates China will play a significant strategic role in the Gulf.
claimThe strong American military presence in the Gulf, resulting from long-standing warm relations between the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, has historically excluded Iran from a position of influence in the region.
claimIran's foreign policy is driven by a belief in the decline of United States power, particularly within the Gulf region.
An Integrated U.S. Strategy to Address Iran's Nuclear and Regional ... carnegieendowment.org Oct 26, 2017 6 facts
claimIranian arms shipments to groups in Yemen, Gaza, and the Gulf violate United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 and destabilize the region.
perspectiveThe Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) should be adopted in the waterways around the Gulf to improve maritime communication, and it should be expanded to include procedures for drone operations.
accountSince the U.S. drawdown from Iraq in 2011, the United States has maintained a force presence of roughly 30,000–40,000 troops in the Middle East to conduct missions such as operations against the Islamic State, ensure freedom of navigation in the Gulf, and deter destabilizing Iranian behavior.
perspectiveRussia has no compelling interests regarding Iranian activism in Iraq, the Gulf, and Yemen.
claimThe IRGC Navy is unlikely to accept or abide by international naval approaches because doing so would weaken the effectiveness of its small boat tactics, which the IRGC Navy uses to intimidate or create uncertainty in the Gulf.
claimA proposed policy option for the United States involves developing a regional Middle Eastern or subregional Gulf regime to manage nuclear fuel-cycle activities and potentially address nuclear-capable ballistic missiles.
From Arab Spring to regional reset: Saudi-Iranian rivalry ... - Frontiers frontiersin.org Sep 28, 2025 6 facts
claimAyman Albarasneh authored the article titled 'From Arab Spring to regional reset: Saudi-Iranian rivalry and strategic contestation in the Gulf (2011–2023)', which was published in Frontiers in Political Science on September 29, 2025.
referenceM. Legrenzi authored the book 'The GCC and the International Relations of the Gulf: Diplomacy, Security and Economic Coordination in a Changing Middle East,' published by I.B. Tauris in London in 2011.
referenceMatteo Legrenzi wrote 'The GCC and the International Relations of the Gulf: Diplomacy, Security and Economic Coordination in a Changing Middle East', published in 2011.
referenceC. Bianco's 2018 article, 'Gulf security after 2011: a threat analysis,' evaluates the security landscape of the Gulf region following the events of 2011.
claimAyman Albarasneh authored the article 'From Arab Spring to regional reset: Saudi-Iranian rivalry and strategic contestation in the Gulf (2011–2023)', which was published in Frontiers in Political Science in 2025.
measurementThe article 'From Arab Spring to regional reset: Saudi-Iranian rivalry and strategic contestation in the Gulf (2011–2023)' was received on May 24, 2025, accepted on September 4, 2025, and published on September 29, 2025.
War in the Middle East and the Role of AI-Powered Cyberattacks manaramagazine.org Mar 13, 2026 4 facts
claimThe Guardian described Gulf investment in AI as the 'new frontier in asymmetric warfare' due to the potential for attacks on data centers to undermine these investments.
accountDuring the conflict, Iranian drone strikes targeted commercial data centers used by major cloud providers in the Gulf, disrupting digital services for users in the UAE and Bahrain.
claimSmall states in the Gulf and other regions can form alliances or share best practices regarding AI cyber controls, similar to how they share anti-missile batteries.
quoteBoffey (2026) stated: 'It means missile defence on datacentres' in the context of drone strikes raising doubts over the Gulf as an AI superpower.
After the War: Rethinking Regional Security in the Middle ... arab-reform.net Mar 13, 2026 4 facts
perspectiveA proposed regional pact should combine hard and soft components, including an Arab-Turkish air and missile defense dialogue, joint maritime monitoring in the Gulf and Red Sea, coordinated red lines against attacks on civilians, joint initiatives for the displaced, a regional fund for environmental adaptation, support for the rebuilding of Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza, and a push to end wars in Yemen, Libya, and Sudan.
perspectiveA viable regional pact should include an agenda for energy interconnection, reconstruction finance for the Levant, and trade integration linking the Gulf to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Türkiye.
accountThe Middle East has incurred significant human, economic, and environmental costs over the last two decades, including the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the war in Syria, state collapse in Libya, Yemen, and Sudan, the genocide in Gaza, wars in Lebanon, mass displacement, and insecurity in the Gulf and Red Sea.
claimThe economic model for the Middle East prioritized corridors linking the Gulf, Israel, and Europe, benefiting Tel Aviv and Dubai while treating the Levant (Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan) as a security problem to be bypassed or bombed rather than rebuilt.
United States and Iran on the Brink: What's at Stake? - CSIS csis.org 4 facts
perspectiveDr. Vali Nasr frames the fundamental regional challenge for the Middle East and the Gulf as a choice between continuing to absorb an 'instability tax' or securing durable stability and economic dividends through credible diplomacy.
claimVali Nasr claims that Iran perceives threatening Gulf economies as a more effective deterrent against US military action than threatening Israel, because Gulf allies have direct access to President Donald Trump and can urge him to avoid war.
perspectiveIran perceives that threatening Gulf economies is more effective at preventing U.S. military intervention than threatening Israel, because Gulf allies with direct access to President Donald Trump would urge him to avoid war, whereas threats against Israel do not necessarily produce the same diplomatic pressure on Washington.
accountThe 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) resulted in significant gains for regional stock markets in the Gulf, which facilitated long-term planning, sustained infrastructure investment, and confidence for Western technology companies to make large-scale investments.
How the War in Iran Is Shaping Gulf Collective Consciousness mecouncil.org Mar 10, 2026 4 facts
claimThe Palestinian cause is a cornerstone of Gulf political consciousness, but public expressions of solidarity are limited by the requirement that they do not compromise Gulf security.
claimThe 1979 Islamic Revolution introduced a transnational ideological discourse of 'exporting the revolution' which Gulf states interpreted as a challenge to their political order and legitimacy.
claimGulf societies are experiencing a complex state of anxiety and emotional vigilance due to the Israeli-U.S. war on Iran.
claimGulf public sentiment is currently driven by the logic of national security and economic stability rather than symbolic alignment.
The Persian Gulf TV War by Douglas Kellner (http://www.gseis.ucla ... pages.gseis.ucla.edu 4 facts
quoteSaddam Hussein stated regarding the Gulf: "a graveyard for those who think of committing aggression."
perspectiveDouglas Kellner asserts that Brent Scowcroft was compromised by using U.S. foreign policy to advance his and his associates' economic and political interests regarding the Gulf.
accountFollowing the invasion of Kuwait, Saddam Hussein threatened to turn the Gulf into "a graveyard for those who think of committing aggression" while simultaneously emphasizing the temporary nature of the Iraqi intervention.
accountOn August 23, a former high-ranking U.S. official delivered an Iraqi peace offer to National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft. The proposal included an Iraqi agreement to withdraw from Kuwait and allow foreigners to leave in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions, guaranteed access to the Gulf, and control of the Rumaila oil field. It also proposed negotiations for an oil agreement, joint efforts to secure Gulf stability, and a plan to alleviate Iraq's economic and financial problems.
Policy Steps to Prevent a Nuclear Iran | The Washington Institute washingtoninstitute.org Jan 28, 2025 3 facts
claimThe United States faces the risk of being drawn into a military exchange in the Gulf while defending American and partner interests against Iranian attacks.
claimIran uses deterrence to prevent direct strikes against its territory, threatening that such attacks would trigger Hezbollah missile barrages against Israel or strikes against U.S. interests in the Gulf.
claimUnited States military forces face risks in Iraq and the Gulf if the United States conducts strikes against Iran or if Iran retaliates, requiring the United States to commit substantial forces to prepare for such contingencies.
Analysis - The Iran War: Strategic Implications for Israel, the Gulf ... elnetwork.eu Mar 16, 2026 3 facts
claimIranian attacks on civilian infrastructure, airports, and energy facilities across the Gulf are forcing Gulf states to reassess their diplomatic and security relationships with Israel, the United States, and the European Union.
claimAn American withdrawal or ambiguity regarding the United States' commitment to Gulf security could encourage regional states to seek new arrangements with Iran, potentially distancing them from cooperation with Israel.
claimInfrastructure projects, transportation corridors, and energy initiatives could connect the Gulf, Israel, and the Mediterranean, creating new routes for the movement of energy and goods between Asia and Europe.
Twenty questions (and expert answers) about the Iran war atlanticcouncil.org Mar 11, 2026 3 facts
claimRegime collapse and a civil war inside Iran could have lasting consequences for Gulf security.
perspectiveAllison Minor asserts that if Iran poses a long-term threat to Gulf national security and economic growth, and if Gulf countries assess that the United States is not doing enough to help them combat that threat, it will create a crippling strain on US-Gulf relations.
measurementThe conflict in the Middle East has created global anxiety regarding the supply and availability of crude oil from the Gulf, causing oil prices to surge to their highest level since 2022.
The Strategic Dilemmas : Iranian Politics, the U.S. strategy ... hornreview.org Mar 16, 2026 2 facts
claimGulf governments view the United States military presence in the Gulf as the primary external deterrent against Iranian aggression.
claimThe Abraham Accords established avenues for cooperation between Gulf states and Israel, though the ongoing conflict has strained public opinion across the Gulf and forced governments to balance strategic interests with domestic sensitivities.
Impact of carbon dioxide removal technologies on deep ... - Nature nature.com Jun 17, 2021 2 facts
claimBioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) deployment is spread across a greater variety of regions compared to Direct Air Capture (DAC), with the highest potential occurring in the Gulf, Southeast, Ohio Valley, and portions of the Midwest regions of the United States.
claimThe highest potential for Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) occurs in the Gulf, Southeast, Ohio Valley, and portions of the Midwest regions of the United States.
What Does the Iran War Mean for Global Energy Markets? - CSIS csis.org Mar 6, 2026 2 facts
claimTemporary disruptions at Qatar's export hub at Ras Laffan or heightened security conditions in the Gulf could delay the commissioning of new LNG liquefaction trains.
claimThe current Gulf conflict highlights the transit and geopolitical risks associated with liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman.
Iran War Unravels U.S. Strategy and Strengthens Russia–China Axis toda.org Mar 24, 2026 2 facts
claimChina is accelerating its pivot toward secure, overland energy supplies from Russia in response to the strategic vulnerability of maritime supply disruptions caused by instability in the Gulf.
measurementThe eruption of war in the Gulf sent Brent crude oil prices surging toward $120 a barrel.
The Arab Approach to Mediation—Reshaping Diplomacy in a ... washingtoninstitute.org 2 facts
claimThe Gulf mediation approach emphasizes the slow and careful building of trust and rapport, contrasting with a Western focus on swiftly identifying problems and executing interventions.
perspectiveSome analysts argue that the personal nature of the Gulf's mediation approach is linked to its monarchical governance and centralized decision-making, which allows for consistent policy and diplomacy.
How China and Russia View the Iran War Differently isdp.eu 2 days ago 2 facts
claimChina views the Iran-related war as an economic risk because its dependence on Middle Eastern energy imports makes stability in the Gulf a strategic necessity.
claimFor China, the Iran War represents an economic risk because its dependence on Middle Eastern energy imports makes stability in the Gulf a strategic necessity.
Iran's Strategic Approach to China, Russia and the GCC globalpolicyjournal.com 2 facts
perspectiveIran's weakened regional posture provides an opportunity for Gulf countries to restructure regional security arrangements rather than solely strengthening anti-Iran coalitions.
perspectiveIran's Gulf neighbors should recalibrate the regional security architecture to take advantage of Iran's weakened regional posture, moving beyond simple anti-Iran coalitions toward new frameworks that could accommodate an internationally constrained Iran.
The Expanding Iran War - ISPI ispionline.it 1 fact
claimItaly has pledged to support its Gulf partners with air defence capabilities, following similar military deployments by the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.
The path forward on Iran and its proxy forces - Brookings Institution brookings.edu Mar 1, 2024 1 fact
claimIn 2015, Saudi Arabia launched a military intervention in Yemen with cooperation from regional partners in the Gulf and the United States.
Actar Publishers actar.com 1 fact
perspectiveRicardo Camacho, Dalal Musaed Alsayer, and Sara Saragoça Soares argue that the current practice of architecture in Kuwait, the Gulf, and the larger Middle East is typically a-contextual and lacks an understanding of the local context.
The Deafening Silence of Iran's Proxies - Institute for the Study of War understandingwar.org Jun 20, 2025 1 fact
claimIran has threatened United States bases in the region, indicating that if the United States enters the conflict, Iraqi groups would likely target US bases in Iraq with rockets and drones, while Iran would likely fire ballistic missiles at US facilities in the Gulf.
We Bombed the Wrong Target Iran's Proxy Network Strategy irregularwarfare.org Mar 10, 2026 1 fact
claimChina views the intermittent cycle of Middle East escalation as a way to increase the strategic cost of the U.S. Gulf posture and distract Washington from confronting China in the Indo-Pacific.
Experts React | Effects of the Iran War on Energy Markets fpri.org Mar 23, 2026 1 fact
claimDisrupted flows of Gulf LNG could allow Russia to regain market share as a marginal gas and fertilizer supplier, which would challenge European energy transition ambitions.
Three Scenarios for the Middle East Crisis, and How to Prepare for ... supplychainbrain.com 4 days ago 1 fact
claimThe 'protracted conflict, but contained regional instability' scenario envisions a long-term campaign characterized by intermittent airstrikes, missile exchanges, and cyber operations, where the Iranian regime remains intact but critical, commercial, and civilian infrastructure in the Gulf faces continued attacks.
Opportunities for Collective Regional Security in the Middle East carnegieendowment.org Mar 5, 2025 1 fact
claimIran secured a strategic foothold in southern Arabia and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which links the Gulf and Mediterranean waters to the southern Red Sea, enhancing its regional leverage.