finance
Gulf officials share security concerns with U.S. over Iran-backed groups
Gulf state leaders expressed worries that a recent U.S.-Iran agreement does not address Iranian support for regional militias. U.S. officials said any final deal would require limits on both Iran's nuclear program and its backing of armed groups.
The GuardianAudio version
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Rubio said the leaders shared "some very concrete concerns" and that any final agreement would require Iran to restrict its nuclear program and end support for groups including Hamas, Hezbollah, Iraqi militias, and the Houthis.
Regional proxy dynamics Analysts and western security officials cited in the reporting expect Iran to increase support for its allied militias after the recent conflict. Hezbollah, despite losses in 2024 and 2025 clashes with Israel, remains a central part of Iran's regional network.
The Houthis joined the recent fighting late and conducted limited strikes on Israel and shipping routes. Iraqi Shia militias carried out dozens of attacks on U.S. targets but avoided large-scale mobilization.
Israeli attempts to mobilize Kurdish and other minority armed groups inside Iran at the start of the conflict did not produce significant results. A long-standing plan to deploy several thousand Kurdish fighters into Iran was not implemented due to limited available forces and Turkish opposition.
Israeli officials said last week they had supplied support to a new Druze militia in Syria. Palestinian groups backed by Israel in Gaza have conducted limited operations against Hamas with mixed results. Regional governments continue efforts to disarm militias and strengthen state control, though the use of proxies persists in several countries.
