Gulf states stayed quiet when the U.S. attacked Iran, but after Iran bombed their airports they’re now pushing Trump to finish the job

Several Gulf Arab states, which initially opposed military action against Iran, are now urging President Trump to fully destroy Iran’s military capacity. This shift comes after a series of Iranian attacks on their infrastructure, raising fears about constant threats to their oil lifelines. Washington is also actively pressing Gulf nations to join the ongoing U.S.-Israeli campaign.

Just a few weeks ago, these Gulf states, close U.S. allies that host American military bases, were hesitant to support a war with Iran. But Iran has apparently crossed a major line. Tehran has attacked airports, ports, oil facilities, and commercial hubs across all six Gulf states, and has also disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil and underpins the entire Gulf economy.

According to Reuters, Abdulaziz Sager, who chairs the Saudi-based Gulf Research Center, put it bluntly. He said there is a widespread feeling across the Gulf that “Iran has crossed every red line with every Gulf country.” He explained that while Gulf states initially defended Iran and opposed the war, once strikes started hitting them directly, Iran became an enemy. “There’s really no other way to classify them,” he said.

Iran’s attacks on Gulf infrastructure have made the case for finishing the job

As the conflict entered its third week, with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes intensifying and Iran retaliating against U.S. bases and civilian targets across the Gulf, Gulf leaders made their position clear. They want President Trump to completely dismantle Iran’s military capabilities. According to one Gulf source, the alternative is living under a constant threat; unless Iran is severely weakened, it will continue to hold the entire region hostage.

These attacks have driven home the fear that if Iran is left with significant offensive weapons or the ability to manufacture arms, it could hold the region’s energy supply hostage whenever tensions rise. The impact goes beyond physical damage; it is disrupting oil flows and damaging the image of stability and security that Gulf countries have worked hard to build for trade and tourism. 

Security analysts warn that rising terror threats tied to regional instability could further complicate the situation. Washington is actively trying to rally support. The White House has stated that 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.” 

Trump wants to show regional backing for the campaign to boost its international legitimacy. However, the war has also stirred domestic tensions, with Trump calling for treason charges against journalists covering his Iran war — a charge that carries the death penalty under U.S. law.

However, Gulf leaders remain deeply worried about triggering a wider, uncontrollable conflict. Unilateral military action by any single Gulf state is off the table, as it would invite retaliation. The six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council – Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE – have only managed one Zoom call, with no Arab summit held to discuss coordinated action. 

The UAE stated it “does not seek to be drawn into conflicts or escalation” but affirmed its right to “take all necessary measures” to protect its sovereignty. Fawaz Gerges of the London School of Economics summed up the core dilemma: Gulf states must balance the immediate threat of Iranian attacks against the far greater risk of being pulled into a U.S. and Israeli-led war. 

Joining that campaign, he argues, would not add much to Washington’s military edge but would sharply increase their exposure to Iranian strikes. Iran’s leverage is hard to ignore. Bernard Haykel, a professor of Near Eastern studies at Princeton University, noted that “Now that Iran has shown it can shut down Hormuz, the Gulf faces a fundamentally different threat.”