Gulf States' Stance Toward IranIran's retaliatory strikes (drones, missiles) on Gulf civilian and energy infrastructure—
after the US-Israel campaign began on February 28—have shifted the calculus dramatically. These attacks hit sites in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and others, despite Gulf leaders' prior efforts to stay neutral and avoid escalation.
Key indicators:
UAE advisor Anwar Gargash has publicly stated that Iran's actions "cement the Iranian threat as a central pillar of Gulf strategic thinking" and will lead to stronger security partnerships with Washington—calling it the "price of Iran’s miscalculations." This points to deeper alignment with the US rather than independent action.
Reports indicate Gulf states are quietly urging the US and Israel not to stop short of comprehensively degrading Iran's military capabilities (especially missiles, drones, nuclear elements, and Hormuz-disruption ability), as leaving a weakened but vengeful Iran poses long-term risks to Gulf oil exports and economies.
US officials (e.g., Secretary of War Pete Hegseth) have named several Gulf nations (UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia) as now "aligned" with the US against Iran, with Iran's strikes "bringing countries... squarely into our orbit."
