Gulf States Back Sustained Strikes on Iran as Trump Ultimatum nears Deadline

Major Gulf powers, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait, have publicly aligned with Israel’s position to continue military strikes against Iran. The regional coalition seeks to eliminate Iranian threats to the Strait of Hormuz before any cessation of hostilities. This unified front comes as President Trump's 10-day ultimatum to Tehran is set to expire in two days, with reports suggesting U.S.-backed operations could intensify on Monday, potentially involving limited ground operations at strategic sites. Diplomatically, the situation has reached a total impasse. Direct and indirect contacts between Washington and Tehran have ceased after Pakistan-led mediation failed to bridge what were described as 'insurmountable' gaps. While Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have expressed a preference for negotiations, they face internal opposition from IRGC chief Ahmad Vahidi, who maintains that the regime can outlast regional and U.S. pressure. In response to the diplomatic deadlock, the Trump administration is reportedly shifting its focus toward a strategy of economic collapse. Having concluded that immediate regime change is unfeasible and that current negotiations are stalled, the U.S. is prioritizing maximum economic pressure to force compliance. This pivot occurs as mediator nations withdraw, viewing the current U.S. 15-point document as a non-starter for the Iranian leadership.