What Happened?

Your gas prices, heating bills and the cost of goods shipped by sea are all tied to a narrow waterway in the Middle East called the Strait of Hormuz. A new report from the non partisan congressional research office finds that the Iran conflict has exposed vulnerabilities in Gulf security and energy infrastructure while leaving the United States' military presence and partnerships in the region unresolved. ​

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) report says Iran fired more than 6,700 drones and missiles at the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states between late February and mid-May. Energy analysts at Welligence estimated Iranian attacks destroyed more than $25 billion in Gulf oil and gas infrastructure through early April.

Why Does it Matter to Me?

Prices. High prices.

According to the International Energy Agency, about 20 million barrels of oil per day, or roughly 25 percent of global seaborne oil trade, passed through the Strait of Hormuz before the conflict. About 20 million barrels of oil per day, roughly 25 percent of all oil traded by sea globally, passed through the Strait before the conflict, according to the International Energy Agency.

Iran's March attack on Qatar's Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility knocked out an estimated 17 percent of Qatar's LNG export capacity, with losses expected to last for years, according to QatarEnergy. The UAE shut its Habshan gas facilities after intercepting missiles in March 2026, according to Reuters.

Both Sides, Now

The Trump administration invoked emergency provisions of the Arms Export Control Act in March and May to push through more than $30 billion in weapons and air and missile defense sales to Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE, bypassing the congressional review process that would otherwise apply. On May 27, President Donald Trump warned that Oman would "behave just like everybody else or we'll have to blow them up" while discussing keeping the Strait open, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a social media post that Treasury would "aggressively target" actors facilitating tolls in the Strait.

The CRS report identifies U.S. basing and force posture, arms sales and Gulf states' responses to U.S. requests to normalize relations with Israel as issues Congress may consider. The Defense Department's chief financial officer declined to estimate repair costs for damaged U.S. facilities, citing uncertainty over future basing plans and potential host-nation contributions.

GCC states have not responded uniformly: the UAE deepened ties with the U.S. and Israel and withdrew from OPEC in May, Saudi Arabia called for de-escalation, and Qatar and Oman promoted diplomacy.

What Happens Next?

The CRS report lays out several issues for Congress to weigh, including U.S. basing arrangements, future arms sales and whether Gulf states will normalize relations with Israel. Congress can reassert its role by blocking or conditioning future emergency arms transfers, though no vote is currently scheduled.

Will Congress step in to shape U.S. policy in the Gulf, or will the executive branch continue acting alone?

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AllCiv makes it easy to stay politically informed and involved.

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