FT: Gulf states overtake Europe in US bid to revive Iran deal

In a revealing report, the Financial Times outlines how Gulf powers — notably Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — have overtaken Europe as key players in the United States' efforts to strike a new nuclear deal with Iran.

This shift reflects multiple changes in global diplomacy. Under U.S. President Donald Trump’s "America First" approach, traditional European allies have been edged out, creating space for Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE to gain influence in Washington and help shape U.S. policy.

Unlike the Obama administration’s multilateral 2015 nuclear deal, which included the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China, Trump is now pursuing a more direct agreement with Tehran, even hinting at military action should talks break down.

The change also aligns with a broader thaw between Iran and its longtime Sunni rivals in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, once vocal advocates of Trump’s "maximum pressure" campaign after he exited the JCPOA in 2018, now support diplomatic engagement to defuse tensions. Their aim: avoid another destabilising conflict in the region.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are using their growing leverage with Trump to balance out pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who continues to lobby for a military response to Iran’s nuclear activity.

“The Gulf’s support is a game changer,” said Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group. “In 2016, Trump had Netanyahu and MBS [Mohammed bin Salman] opposing diplomacy. Now MBS is urging a deal, and his influence in Washington rivals Netanyahu’s.”

Oman has taken the lead as mediator, continuing its role as a discreet go-between. It hosted secret U.S.-Iran talks during the Obama era and is again facilitating indirect negotiations. Qatar, which houses America’s largest regional military base and has close ties to Tehran, is also playing a key role. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani ahead of Trump’s visit to the region last month, and Doha soon after hosted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Crucially, Saudi Arabia has also entered the diplomatic effort. In April, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s brother, Prince Khalid bin Salman, visited Iran for talks with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — the highest-level Saudi visit in decades — signalling Riyadh’s support for dialogue and urging Iran to reach a deal with Trump.

A senior Saudi official stressed that the kingdom does not want any part in confrontation. “We conveyed that we want to keep talking, and that Iran should make an agreement with the U.S.,” the official said. The UAE, which Trump used earlier this year to send a letter to Khamenei, has voiced similar concerns, warning that regional war could follow if diplomacy fails.

Iran has also shown a new openness to involving Gulf states directly in negotiations. Tehran sees their inclusion as a way to prevent them from undermining talks and as potential economic backers of a new deal.

“There’s a recognition in Tehran that Gulf states should be integral to the process — not only to avoid sabotage, but also because they will help sustain the agreement,” said Sanam Vakil of Chatham House.

A key idea being explored is a multinational consortium, possibly involving the U.S. and Gulf states, to develop low-level uranium enrichment facilities. This would offer a middle ground between Iran’s insistence on maintaining enrichment rights and U.S. demands to limit Iran’s nuclear program. The UAE, which operates a nuclear plant under a no-enrichment pact with the U.S., and Saudi Arabia, which wants its own domestic enrichment program, could both play roles in such an initiative.

In contrast, Europe appears sidelined. While EU states have held several rounds of lower-level talks with Iran, they have little direct influence over current U.S.-Iran negotiations. Tensions between Europe and Tehran have also grown. Iran accuses Europe of failing to deliver the economic benefits promised under the JCPOA, while European governments have grown alarmed by Iran’s nuclear advances and may soon trigger a "snapback" mechanism to reimpose UN sanctions.

A Western diplomat in Tehran warned that if current talks collapse, Trump could blame Europe and pressure them to reintroduce sanctions. “The Europeans are very marginalised,” said Vakil. “They’re not part of the talks, their concerns aren’t addressed, and they’re cornered over snapback. It’s the worst-case scenario.”

By Tamilla Hasanova