Gulf Cooperation Council

Force in Play

Approved a military command headquarters in Kuwait on Nov. 10

President Donald Trump said on Nov. 10 there was a 'good chance' of a deal with Iran and that the US would not launch a new offensive for now. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said sanctions were working so well that major combat operations were unnecessary, though he warned Iran against crossing 'red lines.'

Updated Yesterday

Force in Play

Approved the Kuwait forward command

Gulf defense ministers agreed on 10 November to place a forward command post for their joint military force in Kuwait, at the northern tip of the Gulf. It is the first time the six-state bloc has put a standing command outside its Riyadh headquarters.

Updated Yesterday

Rule Changes

Rejects Iran's Hormuz navigation restrictions; backs collective self-defense

Iran's parliament has still not voted on the bill that would write its Strait of Hormuz rules into law, and no date is set. On October 29, the Revolutionary Guard said three tankers caught fire after hitting mines in the strait; Iran's armed forces put the number at four. US Central Command denied that commercial ships were hitting mines in the main transit lanes.

Updated 2 days ago

Built World

Owns the railway project; its transport ministers signed the agreement

Gulf Cooperation Council transport ministers signed the general agreement for a 2,117-kilometre railway in Manama on November 8. The line is meant to run from Kuwait through Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to Oman. Each country finances the segment inside its own borders; shared cross-border pieces are costed jointly.

Updated 3 days ago

Rule Changes

Condemned recognition while individual member states remain notably silent

On December 26, 2025, Israel became the first UN member state to recognize Somaliland as independent, 34 years after the region broke from Somalia during a civil war. Prime Minister Netanyahu called President Abdullahi to announce full diplomatic ties, framing the move through the Abraham Accords and citing Somaliland's fight against terrorism. Within days, Somalia's parliament declared the recognition "null and void," the UN Security Council held an emergency session, and 21 Muslim-majority nations issued a joint condemnation.

Updated 5 days ago