Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned that Gulf states will need to join the United States to "finish the job" on Iran, characterizing the ongoing conflict as a global war.
The remarks, made in an interview with The National, signal a hardening stance on regional security cooperation and suggest that Washington expects deeper military or strategic alignment from its Gulf partners to secure long-term stability.
Oil markets are monitoring the comments for signs of escalating geopolitical risk.
Brent crude prices have been sensitive to developments in the Strait of Hormuz and broader Middle East tensions, with traders watching for any indication that the conflict could widen or that shipping routes might face renewed disruption.
The market has already priced in a degree of risk premium, but further escalation rhetoric could push benchmarks higher if investors fear a broader regional confrontation.
The comments come as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been actively working to reassure Gulf allies that a potential agreement with Iran would not leave them exposed.