Gulf stuck in war-and-peace limbo
The “region cannot remain in a state of neither war nor peace indefinitely,” Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, warned this week.
The Gulf region finds itself caught between war and peace, with no clear resolution in sight, according to Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the UAE President. However, this state of indecision appears set to continue. US President Donald Trump is employing a cautious strategy to pressure Iran economically, while his energy secretary reports that nearly 15 million barrels of oil, out of the pre-war 20 million per day, are still reaching consumers through the Strait of Hormuz.
This flow of oil is maintaining prices below $100 a barrel, despite nearly six months of disruptions. Yet, essential goods like liquefied natural gas, fertilizers, and other commodities remain stranded in the Gulf. Diplomatic efforts are being rekindled, with Pakistan advocating for another 60-day suspension under a new US-Iran framework.
Yet, as Abu Dhabi's The National points out, this ceasefire alone does not suffice for the Gulf's demand for a lasting solution that ensures safe passage through Hormuz and ends the constant threat of war. Washington continues to adopt a war posture, as does Iran, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that another US aircraft carrier will soon replace one that has been at sea for over 250 consecutive days.
The US secretary of defense has declared that the naval blockade of Iran can persist "indefinitely."
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