Saudi Arabia proposes a new Gulf security pact that would include Iran. Under the pact, parties commit to not attacking each other, not interfering in internal affairs, and not acting jointly against any regional state with other states.
Political analyst Rashad Bayramov told Oxu.Az that this pact is one of the most important geopolitical initiatives in the Middle East in recent years. However, whether it means US bases in the Gulf will not be used to attack Iran remains questionable.
Bayramov notes that US military bases in Gulf countries are a key element of Washington's regional strategy. If the pact includes a clause prohibiting the use of territory for attacks on third states, US maneuverability could be limited.
In reality, US bases are governed by bilateral defense agreements that carry more legal and strategic weight than regional initiatives. Washington continues to view Iran as a major threat, and Israel's security remains a priority.
The pact's effectiveness depends on trust between parties. Iran's influence in Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq is still seen as a threat by Gulf monarchies. If tensions arise, Gulf states will likely pursue a balancing act: avoiding direct confrontation with Iran while not fully cutting security cooperation with the US.
