Friday, June 7, 2024 Why Iraq and Iran are left out of the GCC’s new Schengen-mode single visa policy, launching in December 2024. Despite sharing borders and cultural ties with the Gulf region, Iraq and Iran are not part of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The exclusion of these two countries can largely be attributed to political, security, and ideological differences that have historically strained their relationships with GCC member states.
In particular, the GCC, predominantly composed of Sunni-led governments, has viewed Shiite-majority Iran with suspicion, often accusing it of fostering instability in the region through its support of various non-state actors. Iraq, with its complex political landscape and history of conflict, also presents security concerns for the GCC nations, which prioritize stability and uniformity in their cooperative endeavors. Furthermore, economic and foreign policy discrepancies further complicate any moves toward including Iraq and Iran in the GCC framework.
These factors collectively contribute to their current non-member status, although future geopolitical shifts could potentially alter this dynamic. As the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) prepares to launch its innovative Schengen-style single visa in December 2024, the focus intensifies on the strategic integration and travel facilitation within its member states—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Established in 1981, the GCC has been a pivota.
