Gulf Allies Growing Frustrated With Trump Over Prolonged Iran War

WASHINGTON:Gulf Arab allies are growing increasingly frustrated with US President Donald Trump over the prolonged war with Iran and the failure to achieve a diplomatic solution, with some countries beginning to question the benefits of continuing to host large US military bases on their territory.
According to a report by *The Washington Post*, concerns are rising across the Gulf that Trump has failed to find a diplomatic way out of the ongoing conflict with Iran.
A Gulf official, speaking on condition of anonymity, was quoted as saying that the war was started by Trump while Gulf countries were paying the price. Anger toward the United States reportedly reached its highest level following US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February.
The newspaper reported that criticism of the Trump administration has increased in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain amid months of conflict and continued missile and drone attacks by Iran and groups aligned with Tehran.
Some Gulf countries have also begun questioning whether hosting extensive US military installations on their soil continues to serve their interests.
A Western diplomat in the region warned, however, that the developments should not yet be interpreted as a major shift in public or government attitudes toward the United States. US forces were not particularly welcomed in the region even before the war, the diplomat said, and American bases had long been tolerated as a “necessary evil.” The question now, the diplomat added, is whether they are still necessary.
The growing unease comes as Trump has repeatedly threatened further action against Iran while at other times backing away from those threats, citing progress in negotiations. Despite diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran, no final agreement to end the conflict has been reached.
A White House official rejected the notion that relations with Gulf partners had deteriorated, saying Trump maintains exceptionally strong ties with all of Washington’s Gulf allies and that the United States has remained in continuous contact with regional partners since the conflict began.
Despite their concerns, Gulf states continue to rely heavily on Washington for security, including the supply of military equipment, ammunition and intelligence.
Regional officials believe that the prolonged nature of the war without a clear outcome has been a key factor behind the growing anxiety and frustration among US allies in the Gulf.