Amid President Donald Trump’s recent engagements with Sunni Gulf states, Iran’s hostility toward its Arab neighbors has come into sharp relief, revealing layers of rivalry and strategic competition that undergird Middle Eastern geopolitics. Iranian officials and state-controlled media have openly condemned the strengthening of U.S.-Gulf ties, framing it as a direct affront to Iranian interests and a destabilizing factor in the region. The reaction illustrates enduring patterns: deep-seated religious sectarianism, historical grievances, territorial disputes, and fierce competition over vital energy corridors continue to define Iran-Gulf relations.
Religious and Ideological Schisms
The divide between Shiite Iran and the Sunni monarchies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—remains fundamental. Iranian leaders see themselves as stewards of the Shiite cause, committed to exporting their revolutionary ideology across the region. Conversely, the Sunni states perceive Iran as a revisionist force whose ambitions threaten their security and internal stability. These competing worldviews manifest in support for rival factions, proxy groups, and ongoing diplomatic hostility.
Territorial and Maritime Disputes
The rivalry is amplified by a network of unresolved territorial issues, most notably Iran’s continued occupation of the Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunbs islands—contested by the UAE since the 1970s. Disputes extend to strategic waterways, with Iran periodically threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which a significant portion of global oil supplies transits. Such threats alarm Gulf Arab capitals and contribute to a persistent climate of suspicion and military preparedness.
Energy and Economic Competition
Much of the animosity playing out between Iran and its Gulf neighbors centers on control over colossal oil and gas reserves. This competition is about influence as much as economics: the state that commands the flow of energy from the Gulf holds significant sway over global markets and political leverage with consumer nations worldwide. Moves by the U.S. to reinforce alliances and encourage energy partnerships among Sunni states are perceived in Tehran as deliberate attempts to contain and weaken the Iranian economy.
Proxy Conflict and the Role of the IRGC
Iran has sought to counter U.S.-Gulf partnerships by expanding the influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and cultivating networks of proxy actors. Groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and various sectarian militias in Syria and Iraq receive funding, arms, and ideological guidance from Tehran. The IRGC, designated a terrorist organization by Israel and the United States, plays a central role in these regional destabilization efforts, fueling conflicts that serve to project Iranian influence and undercut the position of rival Sunni regimes.
Diplomatic Realignment and Israel’s Growing Role
Faced with mounting threats, the Sunni Gulf states have embraced a policy of deterrence through greater arms acquisitions and enhanced intelligence sharing, including with Israel. The Abraham Accords marked a turning point, breaking longstanding taboos to formalize diplomatic and security coordination with Jerusalem. This unprecedented cooperation is driven by a shared recognition of the Iranian threat—both in terms of military aggression and subversion through terror proxies.
The American Factor
The Trump administration’s explicit tilt in favor of the Gulf monarchies and its withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal marked a decisive shift in U.S. policy. The imposition of ‘maximum pressure’ sanctions constricted Iran’s finances, while arms sales and defense agreements reassured Gulf leaders of American resolve. For Tehran, this posture not only signaled continued isolation but also reinforced the perception that the U.S. is marshaling the region’s Sunni bloc against Iran’s interests.
Regional Dialogues—Interests Above Alliances
Though occasional talks and confidence-building gestures have occurred, sustained rapprochement has proven elusive. Each party remains governed by pragmatic self-interest, with no illusions about permanent alliances. Temporary de-escalations are generally driven by external pressure or economic necessity, rather than genuine reconciliation. In this context, historic enmity and pragmatic calculation continue to define the region’s security environment.
Implications for Israel and the Broader Region
For Israel, Iran’s strategy of supporting terrorist proxies surrounding its borders represents an ongoing existential threat. Heightened Iranian activity in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and Syria remains a primary concern for the Israel Defense Forces, now led by Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. This threat matrix shapes Israel’s own alliances, intelligence efforts, and defense innovation, all aimed at countering the encirclement engineered by Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Conclusion
With every high-profile diplomatic development—such as Trump’s Gulf diplomacy—the underlying fault lines of the Middle East become more apparent. The region is characterized not by personal friendships or ideological alignment, but by the relentless calculus of survival, influence, and competition for resources. The enduring antagonism between Iran and the Sunni Gulf states, driven by both ancient grievances and modern geostrategic realities, will continue to shape the future of the Middle East and global security for years to come.
