From Tehran’s crowded avenues to the gleaming skyscrapers of Dubai, outrage against Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is making headlines and nerves fray across the Gulf. Mass protests driven by crippling inflation and youth unemployment have evolved into a direct assault on the regime’s authority, prompting urgent deliberations within the Gulf Cooperation Council.
U.S. President Donald Trump has seized the moment, delivering a blunt ultimatum to Khamenei: Cease violence against demonstrators or face consequences. Echoing the Venezuela playbook, Trump’s rhetoric has sparked whispers of imminent U.S.-Israeli military involvement, amplifying regional jitters.
Reacting decisively yet discreetly, GCC ministers from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman huddled in non-public forums. Joint statements poured out, advocating restraint, dialogue, and diplomatic channels to quell the fire. ‘Escalation serves no one; let reason prevail,’ they implored in unison.
Behind the scenes, a diplomatic frenzy unfolded. Saudi and Emirati envoys held marathon discussions with key international players, aiming to box in the tensions. Oman, the perennial peace-broker, rallied support for negotiations. Though reticent on Trump’s threats, the GCC’s heightened activity signals profound concern over inadvertent war drums.
This episode underscores Iran’s fragility and the Gulf’s precarious position. Economic protests could unravel the theocracy, but external meddling risks chaos. GCC states, historically at odds with Tehran, now prioritize stability to safeguard their prosperity. With Trump’s finger hovering near the trigger, the coming days could redefine Middle East geopolitics.