Gulf States in June 2026: the most important developments in politics
The Gulf states spent June 2026 caught up in the war between the United States and Iran and the diplomacy meant to end it. The month opened with the two sides exchanging strikes and Iran announcing a full block of the Strait of Hormuz. Kuwait condemned an Iranian attack on its airport and reduced Iran's diplomatic mission, and Saudi Arabia and Egypt condemned Iranian attacks on Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. On June 15 and 16 the US and Iran agreed to halt hostilities and digitally signed a deal to reopen the Strait, after preparatory meetings in Doha; oil fell to a three-month low. A 14-point memorandum on free navigation followed on June 17, and on June 18 US Central Command lifted its naval blockade on Iran.
Talks then moved to Switzerland. They began on June 21 with Pakistan and Qatar as mediators and ended on June 22 with progress but no final deal. Iran's chief negotiator, Qalibaf, met the Sultan of Oman on new arrangements for the Strait. Secretary of State Marco Rubio toured the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait and said Gulf states do not support tolls in the Strait. Oman said it would impose none and began evacuating 11,000 stranded sailors by a temporary sea route, though on June 26 it reportedly told allies that ships might have to pay.
Fighting returned before the month ended. Egypt condemned Iranian drone and missile attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait on June 27 and 28, and Qatar said one of its citizens was killed by shrapnel. On June 28 and 29 the US and Iran agreed to halt strikes and plan talks in Doha. President Trump said the meeting was set for Tuesday; Iranian officials said preparations had not begun. On June 30 US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner travelled to Qatar but, Qatar said, met only mediators. Iran said there was "no negotiation at any level"; Vice President JD Vance called that a "Persian negotiating tactic".
An explosion at Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG plant killed 13 people, and Kuwait told its citizens to leave Lebanon.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
Click a day in the chart above for that day's brief.