A preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran is slated for formal signing this Friday in Switzerland. Details released to the press outline a fourteen-point plan including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the establishment of a $300 billion private fund, alongside the unfreezing of Iranian assets held abroad. Crucially, Iran has reaffirmed its commitment to not developing nuclear weapons. The agreement aims to de-escalate tensions that previously justified US and Israeli concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program. The impact of this deal on Gulf monarchies, key US allies and targets of Iranian retaliation, is a central concern. Analyst Akram Zaoui of ORF Middle East discusses the implications for the region, suggesting a need for “strong realism and optimism” from Gulf states.