Iran continues to launch hundreds of drones towards the Gulf nations, including new rounds of attacks on Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain over the last few days. This comes despite a claim by Iran’s president that Tehran might cease these attacks, with Saudi Arabia considering joining in on the strikes against Iran, according to commentary online.
Bahrain is one country that has been subject to numerous attacks. US Central Command said that on Thursday, “representatives from the Kingdom of Bahrain, United Kingdom, and United States held a virtual meeting for the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) – Defense Working Group.”
The report noted that “the meeting included Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, national security advisor and secretary-general of the Supreme Defense Council of the Kingdom of Bahrain; Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, chief of the defense staff of the United Kingdom; and Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command.”
It added that the “leaders discussed the current regional security environment and the Iranian regime’s deliberate aggression and attacks on innocent civilians across the Middle East. They also expressed the importance of working together to ensure peace and stability.”
Saudi Arabia under attack, crown prince 'has no love for Iranian regime'
In comments at Bloomberg, Near Eastern Studies professor Bernard Haykel, an expert on Saudi Arabia, noted that Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman “has no love for the Iranian regime.” However, Riyadh is concerned that the Islamic Republic could become a failed state.
Meanwhile, Arab News in Saudi Arabia said that “13 drones [were] downed east of Riyadh city and eight [were] destroyed upon entering Saudi airspace.” The report added, “Drone attacks continue despite an apology given by Iranian officials to Gulf states.”
Additionally, “Saudi Arabia’s air defenses neutralized a fresh wave of drone attacks on Sunday, the Defense Ministry announced, as Iranian strikes on Gulf states showed no signs of abating despite Tehran’s conciliatory gestures a day earlier.”
Iran also targeted Aramco’s Shaybah oil field with 21 drones. This comes around 7 years after the Houthis targeted the same site in 2019.
Arab News wrote that “on Saturday, Saudi defenses intercepted five ballistic missiles launched toward Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj, an important industrial zone approximately 80 kilometers southeast of Riyadh. It was the third attempted strike in three consecutive days on the base. A single drone was also intercepted east of Riyadh.”
The UAE is also being targeted with around 120 drones a day. Reports said on Saturday that 121 drones targeted the UAE, and one got through, landing near the airport. An earlier report on Thursday had said that three missiles and 120 drones targeted the UAE. This means Iran has attempted to maintain a daily barrage against the UAE. This has included around a dozen ballistic missiles a day and dozens of drones.
The Gulf countries are trying to put on a brave face of resilience in the face of the threat. While there has been some talk of retaliation, it would likely require Riyadh to lead the way. Saudi Arabia is the country with the largest army in the Gulf.
Riyadh is also a key US partner, and it would discuss any decisions to retaliate with the White House. The question for Saudi Arabia is whether retaliation would lead to a widening of the war and escalation. The kingdom likely wants the war to wind down, not escalate, but it has an opportunity to strike Iran.
Tehran has been attacking Saudi Arabia for years. In 2019, it used drones and cruise missiles to strike the Abqaiq energy facility. In this round, it has also targeted many energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, including Ras Tanura. Riyadh would therefore have ample reason to finally hit back.
Other Gulf states have similar reasons. However, they usually follow Riyadh’s lead. Bahrain and the UAE host US military bases, as does Qatar, which was still being targeted on Sunday.
Kuwait was also targeted on Sunday. Its Defense Ministry said air defense systems intercepted seven Iranian drones, according to Syria’s SANA.
“Qatar’s Defense Ministry said its air defense systems intercepted an Iranian attack involving ballistic and cruise missiles targeting Qatari territory. The ministry said the Qatari Armed Forces intercepted and destroyed six ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles. Two other ballistic missiles fell into territorial waters, while two landed in uninhabited areas, according to a statement carried by the Qatar News Agency,” SANA said.