Gulf States Bear Brunt of Iran's Retaliatory Strikes, Seeking Diplomatic Resolution

Iran has intensified its retaliatory strikes on ten Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, where US military bases are stationed, in response to US and Israeli strikes on its territory¹. The Gulf states, which have been bearing the brunt of the Iranian missile, drone attacks, and even raids on military bases and palaces, have expressed their readiness to respond²³.

A Region Under Fire

The Iranian onslaught has not only targeted military assets but also civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities⁴⁵. The UAE and Qatar have reported hundreds of intercepted Iranian missiles and drones, with the UAE announcing the deaths of three people due to these attacks⁶⁷.

The Gulf Cooperation Council, led by the UAE, has indicated that the option to retaliate remains on the table⁸. However, they are also seeking to build a broad coalition to promote a swift and diplomatic end to the conflict, aiming to prevent a regional escalation and a prolonged price shock in energy⁹¹.

The US Role: A Double-Edged Sword

Despite the escalating tensions, the US has reportedly been stonewalling requests by the Gulf states to replenish their air defense interceptors⁷. This has led to scrutiny of the Gulf's US security dependence⁷. The US Congress is also divided over President Trump's decision to launch strikes against Iran¹⁰.

However, amidst the strife, US and Iranian representatives are meeting in Geneva on Tehran's nuclear program, although hopes for a breakthrough appear slim³¹¹.

The Way Forward

While the Gulf states are in the crossfire of the US-Israel war on Iran, there are calls for these regional states to shape their own destinies⁷. The former British diplomat, Peter Ricketts, criticized the strikes, stating that they would not achieve regime change in Iran and could lead to chaos⁷.

As the situation remains volatile, governments are seeking to extract their citizens from West Asia¹². The death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the strikes has also triggered a leadership vacuum, adding to the uncertainties¹³.