US and Gulf States Tie Trade With Iran to Nuclear Limits

The United States and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council issued a joint statement after ministerial talks in Bahrain that conditions any future trade and investment with Iran on strict limits tied to its nuclear program. The ministers welcomed a June 17 memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran but said all economic engagement would remain conditional and reversible.

They reaffirmed the goal of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and called for addressing Iran's ballistic missiles, drones, and support for regional proxies.

The statement rejected any tolls or attempts to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz and said free navigation remains essential to regional and global security. It also called for the full disarmament of non-state armed groups in Lebanon and welcomed ongoing U.S.-facilitated talks between Israel and Lebanon.

Iran's Foreign Ministry responded on Friday, calling the joint statement interventionist, irresponsible, and provocative. The ministry accused Washington and its Gulf allies of distorting regional realities and repeating U.S. and Israeli positions on Iran's nuclear program and missile capabilities.

Ministry spokesperson said the country's national security and dignity brook no compromise and that the means of legitimate self-defense cannot be subject to bargaining. Tehran also said disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz resulted directly from recent U.S. and Israeli military action.

Iran urged Gulf states to reconsider allowing their territory to be used for strikes against it and said any credible framework for managing the strait must include coordination with Tehran under the terms of the June 17 memorandum. The U.S. maintains about 40,000 troops across the region, a figure that rose above 50,000 after President Donald Trump escalated the conflict with Iran.