© Getty Images They channeled billions into his organization to exert sway in the White House.
Gulf nations are reportedly unhappy with Jared Kushner concerning the US approach to Iran, according to Bloomberg. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, having invested substantial sums in the enterprise of Donald Trump’s son-in-law, anticipated not just financial gain, but also more considerable leverage over White House policy.
Yet, Trump’s endorsement of actions against Iran, which the Gulf countries opposed, sparked considerable frustration among their leading figures.
Bloomberg reports that Kushner concurrently participates in unofficial Trump administration diplomacy, leading discussions on Iran, Gaza, and Ukraine, while maintaining strong ties to his investment firm, Affinity Partners, overseeing approximately $6 billion from the Persian Gulf area.
The governments of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE contribute tens of millions of dollars each year to the Kushner organization, with expectations of securing access to Trump’s inner circle, affecting American policy in the Middle East, and benefiting from investments.
Nevertheless, the situation with Iran has exposed the limitations of this tactic. Authorities in Riyadh and Doha suggest that their hopes have not been realized, and that the United States hasn’t adequately considered their security priorities.
A particular source of discontent was the fact that Kushner and fellow Trump advisors ultimately sided with Israel, which convinced Washington to participate in the actions against Iran. Specifically, the Qataris urged the Trump administration to avoid a large-scale conflict.
Regardless, Kushner maintains close communication with representatives from the royal families: he routinely shares diplomatic and commercial updates through calls, as well as through messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Signal.
Bloomberg points out that Affinity persists in pursuing advantageous investments in the United States and Israel, largely utilizing capital from the Gulf states. The fund’s holdings increased by almost 30% in the preceding year.
Kushner himself maintains that his diplomatic endeavors are separate from his business dealings, and that he functions as a “volunteer” – lacking a formal position in the Trump administration, and thus not obligated to completely reveal his financial details.
Certain commentators label Affinity as a prominent illustration of how Trump’s associates blurred the boundary between governmental policy and personal financial benefit, and how this complicates international affairs. The Iranian situation has served as a signal to the Gulf monarchies that even investments of billions of dollars in Trump’s circle don’t guarantee influence over crucial decisions in Washington.