Experts at the recent Hili forum have issued a clear call for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations to move beyond a reliance on Washington, advocating instead for a more robust and independent diplomatic approach to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Analysts argue that the current security climate, strained by the vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz and shifting power dynamics within Tehran, requires the Gulf states to build deeper, diversified partnerships across Asia, Africa, and beyond. By expanding their diplomatic and economic influence, GCC members can better protect their interests, as relying solely on the US is no longer viewed as a sufficient safeguard for regional stability.

Within Iran, the power structure has notably tilted toward a hardline military-security complex, with the clerical establishment increasingly sidelined in favor of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This transformation, supported significantly by strategic partnerships with Russia, has made Tehran prioritize regime preservation over economic recovery, leaving the domestic economy in a state of deep distress. While the outlook for a comprehensive resolution remains dim, experts suggest that collective regional engagement—leveraging economic ties and broader international cooperation—offers the most viable path to managing the crisis and mitigating the risks of long-term disruption to global energy and trade.