Arab commentators say the Jeddah summit marked a turning point in Gulf security, with leaders clearly identifying Iranian actions as direct threats to infrastructure and civilians while affirming that regional security is indivisible. The statement balanced deterrence with diplomacy, tying any political path to rebuilding trust and reinforcing the right to self-defense under the United Nations Charter. It also emphasized protecting energy flows and maritime navigation, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, and called for deeper military and infrastructure integration to strengthen collective resilience.
At the same time, writers warn that the expanding regional conflict has overshadowed the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where war, hunger, and disease continue to devastate civilians. As fighting spreads across multiple fronts involving Iran, Israel, and allied militias, Gaza's crisis risks being reduced to a secondary issue amid a broader and increasingly complex confrontation.
Several analysts argue that Iran is unlikely to return to its prewar posture. Depending on how the conflict ends, Tehran could face deeper isolation, renewed large-scale strikes by the United States and Israel, or a prolonged state of neither war nor peace marked by economic pressure and restricted navigation. Rebuilding trust with Gulf states is seen as a long-term challenge requiring firm and coordinated regional positions.
Others highlight how the war is reshaping the global order, exposing strains within the Western alliance and accelerating shifts toward a more multipolar system in which China and Russia play larger roles. For Gulf states, the conflict brings both economic opportunity through higher oil prices and heightened security risks, underscoring the need for diversified partnerships, stronger defense capabilities, and proactive diplomacy in an era of declining strategic certainty.


