Gulf States

Gulf governments emphasize sovereignty and civilian protection as Iran-aligned actors frame the confrontation as external aggression

Like Sadat in 1977, Gulf rulers may conclude that diplomacy serves their national interests.

Additionally, Trump said that the 2020 strike that killed former IRGC chief Qassem Soleimani “was a big move,” and that “If that didn’t happen, then you might not have Israel today."

Arab states in the Gulf, all close US allies, have come under Iranian drone and missile attack since the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Saturday.

In a series of calls with the leaders of the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar, Putin criticized the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which the Kremlin described as "unprovoked aggression."

Operation Roaring Lion is not another military strike or another round in an endless cycle: It is a moment of strategic recalibration.

“Trump intends to go all the way with this move,” one senior official said. “He has already marked the target. He wants to replace the regime, and he has no intention of taking his foot off the gas."

Gulf states have been suffering the consequences of the US-Israel war against Iran, after missiles have fallen on foreign territories.

The Ras Tanura complex houses one of the Middle East's largest refineries with a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day and serves as a critical export terminal for Saudi crude oil.

Vessels in the Gulf reported receiving messages warning that no ships were allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz, according to EU and UK agencies, though Iran has not confirmed any closure.