Gulf States Seek to Prevent Renewed US Attacks on Iran

Growing security threats across the Middle East have prompted Gulf Arab governments to pursue diplomatic efforts to prevent another round of US military attacks on Iran. Officials from several Gulf countries gathered in Bahrain over the weekend as maritime disruptions, military incidents and regional airstrikes heightened concerns about a wider conflict.

According to NPR, the officials met at the Ritz-Carlton in Bahrain's capital, seeking ways to discourage Washington from launching further attacks against Tehran. Their discussions took place as the conflict continued to affect security and economic interests across the Gulf.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains 70 percent below pre-conflict levels, according to a weekly assessment by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). Commercial vessels continue to face attacks, interference with navigation and security threats throughout the Gulf region.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said four oil tankers caught fire and exploded while attempting to navigate routes through the Strait of Hormuz that it described as unauthorized.

US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran were continuing and that Tehran wanted discussions with Washington. He also rejected comparisons between the current confrontation and a conventional military conflict.

Trump described the situation as not being a "typical war," while maintaining that diplomatic engagement with Iran remained ongoing.

Military security concerns have also extended into Saudi Arabia. Saudi-led coalition forces intercepted and destroyed three drones, with one reported over Riyadh, another over the Eastern Province and a third in the country's southern region.

In the occupied West Bank, more than 530 Palestinian families were forced to leave their homes in Hebron during a citywide lockdown imposed by Israeli forces, according to Al Jazeera.

Violence also continued in the Gaza Strip. An Israeli airstrike killed a Palestinian in central Nuseirat, while another person died from injuries sustained during an earlier air attack on Gaza City.

Separately, an Israeli air attack targeted Kfar Tebnit in the Nabatieh district of southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported.

Economic consequences have become another source of concern for European governments. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany was working to end the conflict as quickly as possible, citing its growing financial impact on Europe.

Merz said the war had added more than 100 billion euros ($112 billion) to Europe's energy costs over the past eight months. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi criticized Germany over its support for Israel and the United States during last year's war against Iran, questioning its subsequent complaints about rising energy expenses.

Diplomatic contacts have also expanded beyond the immediate conflict. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers meeting in the United States.

Meanwhile, tensions surrounding the conflict have prompted security measures in Europe. London's Metropolitan Police warned that people planning to attend a demonstration supporting Palestine Action near the US Embassy on Saturday would face arrest.

The police described the planned response as "part of a robust policing operation," signaling strict enforcement around the demonstration.

With maritime traffic still substantially below normal levels and military incidents continuing across several countries, Gulf governments face mounting pressure to contain the confrontation through diplomatic channels.