What's happened
Gulf nations express disappointment over the US's lack of warning and support during recent Iran-related attacks, accusing Washington of prioritizing Israel and American troops while Gulf states fend for themselves amid escalating missile and drone strikes.
What's behind the headline?
The regional dynamics reveal a significant shift in US-Gulf relations. Gulf countries now perceive themselves as secondary to US strategic interests, especially in the context of Iran's escalating missile and drone campaign. The US's limited missile defense capabilities in the Gulf, highlighted by recent attacks on embassies and military targets, expose vulnerabilities that Iran is exploiting. Public criticism from Gulf figures, such as Prince Turki al-Faisal, underscores a perception that Israel's influence has swayed US policy, risking regional stability. The US's reliance on Ukraine's drone expertise signals a recognition of its own deficiencies, but it also underscores a broader strategic failure to adequately defend allies. This situation is likely to deepen Gulf mistrust and could prompt calls for increased regional military autonomy or new alliances, potentially reshaping Middle Eastern security architecture. The next phase will see whether diplomatic efforts or military enhancements can restore Gulf confidence or if the region will drift toward greater instability and fragmentation.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Gulf officials are disappointed with the US's handling of the conflict, citing lack of warning and insufficient defense, with some blaming Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for dragging Trump into war. AP News highlights Iran's extensive missile and drone attacks, with over 380 missiles and 1,480 drones fired since the start of the war, killing at least 13 people and six US soldiers. Both sources note the US's limited interception capabilities and the Gulf's vulnerability, with some officials suggesting the US underestimated the threat to Gulf allies. The Independent also quotes Prince Turki al-Faisal criticizing US support, framing the conflict as driven by Netanyahu's influence, while AP emphasizes the strategic miscalculations and the potential for increased regional instability.
How we got here
The recent escalation stems from US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which triggered widespread retaliation from Iran targeting Gulf countries with missiles and drones. Gulf nations had warned of regional consequences, but reports indicate they received no prior notice and feel underprotected, leading to growing frustration with US military support amid ongoing attacks.
Go deeper
Common question
-
What are Gulf countries saying about US handling of Iran conflicts?
Gulf nations are voicing strong concerns over how the US is managing the escalating Iran conflict. With recent attacks and limited US support, regional leaders are questioning America's role and its impact on regional stability. Curious about what Gulf countries are saying and how this might affect future relations? Read on for answers to the most pressing questions about this tense situation.
More on these topics
-
Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is a sovereign state in the Persian Gulf. The island nation comprises a small archipelago made up of 40 natural islands and an additional 51 artificial islands, centered around Bahrain Island which makes up arou
-
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
-
Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula.
-
Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a
-
Kuwait, officially the State of Kuwait, is a country in Western Asia. Situated in the northern edge of Eastern Arabia at the tip of the Persian Gulf, it borders Iraq to the north and Saudi Arabia to the south.
-
Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, actor and comedian who is the 6th and current president of Ukraine, serving since May 2019.
-
Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
-
The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.