Washington, Aug 16 (Alliance News): Gulf countries have expressed serious concern over US President Donald Trump’s policy toward Iran, with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain reportedly uneasy over Washington’s approach to the conflict.
According to a Washington Post report, Gulf states are increasingly concerned about what they view as inconsistent US policies and Washington’s failure to achieve peace despite the military confrontation with Iran.
Some Gulf countries have also begun questioning the justification for continuing to host US military bases amid growing regional tensions.
Meanwhile, President Trump has again indicated that Washington could further increase pressure on Iran, saying the United States would soon announce plans to designate the Strait of Hormuz as US territory.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said the United States was preparing to impose stronger economic pressure on Iran in an effort to force Tehran to end the war. He said Washington would make its economic measures against Iran more effective.
According to a recent Fox News report, the number of vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen significantly from pre-war levels since the conflict began, increasing pressure on global trade and energy supplies.
Trump’s latest remarks about the Strait of Hormuz are particularly significant because the strategic waterway lies between Iran and Oman and is considered a vital route for global energy shipments.
Any US move concerning the status of the waterway could further increase tensions in a region already facing heightened military and diplomatic pressure.
Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had also said Washington was preparing to introduce unprecedented sanctions and other measures against Iran at the beginning of the following week.
