Washington's allies in the Middle East are growing increasingly frustrated with its continued efforts to negotiate and secure a peace deal with Iran, according to a report.
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Citing Arab and Western officials, The Washington Post reported that US allies in the Gulf are becoming "increasingly sceptical" of President Donald Trump's ability to navigate the delicate diplomacy required to reach an agreement with Tehran.
However, a White House official rejected the assessment, saying Trump has "extraordinary relationships with all of our Gulf partners."
The official added that Washington has remained in regular contact with its regional allies since the conflict began with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
Differences emerge among Gulf states over approach to Strait of Hormuz?
According to an earlier Wall Street Journal report, after Trump announced the cancellation of a planned attack on Iran earlier this month, regional intermediaries began efforts to revive a US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed in Switzerland in June, aimed at keeping the strategic waterway open and fee-free for 60 days.
The initial framework had collapsed over conflicting interpretations. While Trump maintained that the passage would remain open permanently, Tehran argued that the agreement preserved its sovereign control over the trade route.
Behind-the-scenes diplomacy played a key role in averting an immediate escalation. Qatari officials held intensive talks with Iran, the US and Oman before informing Trump that Tehran had accepted a proposal concerning the strait. Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Trump by phone and urged him against military action.
