Iran war teaches importance of Gulf cooperation with Europe for maritime security, ISPI says

A new report by the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) and the Gulf Research Center emphasizes that Iran's attacks on Gulf nations and maritime disruptions necessitate closer cooperation between Europe and the Gulf. The report highlights that insecurity in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz, caused by Houthi actions and the "Iran war," directly impacts Europe through increased shipping costs and delays. To address these challenges, the report recommends:

• Establishing a permanent maritime coordination framework to connect naval forces, coast guards, port authorities, and commercial shipping operators for risk prevention and disruption reduction.
• Creating a permanent ministerial-level forum between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to provide strategic direction and coordinate policy on maritime security, air defense, and critical infrastructure protection.
• Expanding information-sharing by integrating maritime and air surveillance data, and conducting regular joint exercises.
• Leveraging European expertise in cybersecurity and digital infrastructure to strengthen Gulf critical infrastructure, while Gulf investment can accelerate modernization.

The report also suggests exploring precautionary technologies like jamming and drone detection for commercial vessels and calls for Gulf states to diversify their economies to enhance resilience against hybrid attacks.