Seven Middle Eastern Countries Border the Persian Gulf

Exactly seven sovereign states have coastlines on the Persian Gulf. All are Middle Eastern; all are major energy players.

The Seven

1. Iran – North coast (entire northern shore). 1,500+ km coastline. Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, Kharg Island (oil terminal).
2. Iraq – Tiny 58 km coast (Umm Qasr, Al-Faw). Only Gulf access.
3. Kuwait – 499 km coast. Deep-water ports (Shuwaikh, Shuaiba).
4. Saudi Arabia – 560 km Gulf coast (Jubail, Dammam, Ras Tanura – world's largest oil terminal).
5. Bahrain – Archipelago (33 islands). 161 km coast. Financial hub.
6. Qatar – Peninsula, 563 km coast. LNG capital (Ras Laffan).
7. United Arab Emirates – 700+ km coast (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah* on Gulf of Oman).

Excluded Neighbors

• Oman – Coast on Gulf of Oman & Arabian Sea only (Musandam exclave touches Strait of Hormuz, not Gulf proper).
• Jordan – Landlocked (Red Sea only via Aqaba).

Strategic Implications

• Strait of Hormuz (39 km narrowest) – 21M bpd transit. Iran threatens closure; US 5th Fleet (Bahrain) guarantees openness.
• GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) = all 7 except Iran + Iraq. Economic/military bloc.
• Maritime boundaries: mostly settled (Iran–UAE islands dispute: Abu Musa, Greater/ Lesser Tunbs).