Gulf States & Iran: US Pressure Mounts | Economy & Security

Gulf Arab states have not requested military action from the United States against Iran, but are increasingly urging Washington not to leave Iran with the capability to threaten vital oil supplies and regional economies, according to sources. Simultaneously, the U.S. is reportedly seeking overt regional support, including from Gulf states, for potential military action against Iran.

Gulf States’ Shifting Stance on Iran

“There is a wide feeling across the Gulf that Iran has crossed every red line with every Gulf country,” said Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Saudi-based Gulf Research Center. “At first we defended them and opposed the war,” he said. “But once they began directing strikes at us, they became an enemy. There is no other way to classify them.”

Tehran has launched attacks targeting airports, ports, oil facilities, and commercial hubs across the six Gulf states, as well as Israel, and has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz – a critical waterway for global oil transport.

As conflict enters its third week, with escalating airstrikes from the U.S. and Israel and retaliatory attacks by Iran, a Gulf source indicated a prevailing sentiment among leaders: a comprehensive degradation of Iran’s military capacity is necessary. The source warned that failure to do so would leave the region under constant threat.

Strategic Dilemma for Gulf States

Iran, a predominantly Shi’ite Muslim nation, has historically viewed its Sunni Arab Gulf neighbors with suspicion, though relations with Qatar and Oman have generally been less strained. Over the years, Iran and its allies have been accused of attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure, including the 2019 strike on Saudi Arabia’s Abqaiq and Khurais oil facilities, which significantly disrupted Saudi output.

The attacks this month have damaged the Gulf’s image of stability and security, hindering efforts to diversify economies and reduce reliance on fossil fuel exports. “If the Americans pull out before the task is complete, we’ll be left to confront Iran on our own,” Sager said.

The White House stated the U.S. is “crushing [Iran’s] ability to shoot these weapons or produce more,” and that President Trump is “in close contact with our partners in the Middle East.”

The United Arab Emirates affirmed its right to safeguard its sovereignty and security, but stated it “does not seek to be drawn into conflicts or escalation.”

Sources indicate that unilateral military action by any Gulf state is unlikely, as collective intervention is seen as necessary to avoid individual retaliation. The six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council – Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE – have held only one Zoom call, and no regional summit has been convened to discuss coordinated action.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that Gulf partners are “stepping up even more” and are willing to “go on the offense,” while collaborating with Washington on integrated air defenses.

The UAE has chosen restraint following Iran’s claim that the U.S. military used the UAE to strike Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export terminal.

Saudi Arabia, Iran’s main regional rival, could be forced to retaliate if Iran targets major oil facilities, desalination plants, or causes significant casualties, Sager said, adding that Riyadh would attempt to calibrate any response to avoid further escalation.

Experts note that the Gulf states face a dilemma: balancing the immediate threat from Iran against the risk of being drawn into a wider conflict led by the U.S. and Israel. Joining such a campaign, it is argued, would not significantly enhance U.S. military superiority while increasing exposure to Iranian reprisals.

Iran’s ability to control passage through the Strait of Hormuz is a significant concern. “Now that Iran has shown it can shut down Hormuz, the Gulf faces a fundamentally different threat,” said Bernard Haykel, professor of Near Eastern studies at Princeton University. “If it’s not addressed, this danger will be long-term.”

President Trump has called for a coalition to reopen the waterway, with limited initial success. Haykel suggested that China, which relies heavily on Gulf oil, may also have a role to play in securing maritime routes.