Countries in the Gulf are closely watching what comes next after the first round of talks in Islamabad failed to reach an agreement.
US Vice President JD Vance said there was no agreement, and Vance, who is known to be clear and blunt, but also circumspect in his wording, noted that “there are shortcomings in the talks with Iran.”
The overall question is whether the talks have collapsed or whether more rounds will occur. According to AFP, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday called on Washington and Tehran to continue to abide by the ceasefire agreement “despite the failure of talks between them to end the war in the Middle East to reach an agreement.”
Pakistan wants to continue to play a role. “It is essential that both sides maintain their commitment to the ceasefire… Pakistan has been and will continue to play its part in the coming days to facilitate engagement and dialogue between Iran and the United States.”
The Gulf is watching this carefully. The Gulf is likely feeling that some of its concerns are being addressed and that many countries want to see the talks continue. This will bolster some confidence in places such as Riyadh and Doha.
Australia’s Foreign Minister, for instance, has called for the ceasefire to continue.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong was quoted by Al-Ain media in the UAE as saying, “the priority now must be to sustain the ceasefire and return to negotiations,” Wong said in a statement, adding that “the conclusion of the Islamabad talks between the United States and Iran without an agreement is disappointing.”
The Gulf is rightly concerned. These countries, especially the UAE, suffered the heaviest attacks by Iran and were prime targets. Gulf states have faced sustained pressure from Iranian missile and drone attacks, exposing vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and testing regional defense systems.
Saudi Arabia, UAE become clear targets of Tehran
Countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have been clear targets of Tehran, with strikes aimed at energy facilities, airports, and urban areas. These attacks disrupted oil production and threatened global energy markets. They will force governments to invest even more heavily in air defense and early warning systems.
Other countries, including Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait, have also faced missile threats or interceptions, highlighting the broad range and scope of Iran’s strategy. The use of drones and ballistic missiles enabled Iran and its proxies to strike across long distances at relatively low cost.
In addition, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq appear to be threatening renewed attacks on the Gulf. The militias are well armed and have access to many drones. It is believed they carried out 800 attacks in Iraq, including an attack on US diplomats on April 8, just as the ceasefire was beginning.
The Gulf has seen huge disruptions in travel and energy exports. Civilian populations have faced repeated alerts.
The Gulf states’ response has included closer defense cooperation with the United States. Overall, the attacks underscored how Iran’s strategy spread chaos around the region.
Major media websites in the Gulf are expressing interest in what comes next and examining the key issues in the talks. For instance, Al-Ain media in the UAE examined the Strait of Hormuz as a sticking point.
Iran’s nuclear program and enriched Uranium are the central issues for the US. The Gulf will now be on edge, alongside the rest of the region, as it wonders what comes next, possibly reducing the Gulf’s influence over US policy because it doesn’t appear that Gulf countries had a lot of say in the Pakistan talks.