Gulf States in April 2026: the most important developments in politics
Politics in the Gulf states in April 2026 centered on diplomacy over the Strait of Hormuz and the war between the United States and Iran. Oman and Iran held talks on April 5 on safe shipping through the strait. At the UN Security Council, a vote was delayed several times, Bahrain's five-point plan was watered down after objections to the use of force, and on April 7 Russia and China vetoed a resolution to reopen the strait. The UAE said guaranteed navigation must be part of any US-Iran deal. On April 22 more than 30 countries met in London on reopening the strait.
A two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran was announced on April 7. Talks in Islamabad ended without agreement on April 12, and Iran demanded reparations from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan and Qatar. Iran said on April 17 that the strait was open to commercial ships, and on April 22 President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire until talks conclude. By April 27 Iran had proposed reopening the strait to the US while asserting joint control with Oman.
Mediation ran through several capitals. Pakistan's prime minister toured Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, and Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a strategic defense partnership on April 14. Foreign ministers of Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Oman met repeatedly on resuming US-Iran talks.
The conflict also produced diplomatic incidents. Iranian attacks hit Kuwait's water desalination plant and Saudi energy facilities, Kuwait's consulate in Basra was stormed, and the UAE embassy in Damascus was vandalized, after which Syria promised firm measures. Kuwait revoked the citizenship of more than 2,000 people and Bahrain of dozens over alleged support for Iran.
On April 14 China's President Xi Jinping met Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince and put forward a four-point plan for Middle East peace. Gulf leaders held a consultative summit in Jeddah, and on April 29 the UAE left OPEC and OPEC+, calling it a sovereign decision, in a move that widened its rift with Saudi Arabia.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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