United States–Gulf Cooperation Council relations

Summary

The United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council have maintained close bilateral, economic, and military relations since the GCC was founded in 1981. This is due to the United States' close relationship with the six-member states of the GCC, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Despite the U.S. not having formal membership in or representation to the GCC, the United States has chaired formal meetings with the GCC and both sides have been brought closer due to mutual hostility with Iran since the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and the Soviet Union over fears of spread of Communism during the Cold War. Both sides worked together in conflicts such as the Soviet–Afghan War, Iran–Iraq War, and the Gulf War.