Gulf States

Epic Fury: Moral obligations before declaring war on Iran - opinion

Does a political leader who chooses to go to war have the right to unilaterally put the lives of millions of citizens around the world at risk?

An illustrative image of soldiers against a backdrop of words relating to warfare.
Smoke rises in the sky after blasts were heard in Manama, Bahrain, February 28, 2026.

Gulf states at crossroads: Navigating the Iran war’s unwanted reality - opinion

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud attends the consultative ministrial meeting in Riyadh, on March 19, 2026.

Iran attacks pushing Gulf's Arab states toward unity, possible action against Tehran - analysis

Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani of Iran attends Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East as members vote on two draft resolutions regarding the current crisis in the Middle East on March 11, 2026.

Iran demands compensation from UAE over alleged role in US strikes


Saudi FM: Kingdom reserves right to military action following Iran attacks

Both political and non-political responses are possible, threatened Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan amidst increasing Iranian missile strikes across the region.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks during a press conference, as Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon hosts the foreign ministers of Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia, February 6, 2026.

US intelligence chief: Iran's regime intact but weakened by Operation Epic Fury

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testifies that Iran's regime, though weakened, is still capable of targeting US and allied interests in the Middle East.

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US, March 18, 2026.

Iran's IRGC Navy chief threatens retaliatory strikes on oil facilities across Gulf

Later, after Iran threatened Gulf states with retaliatory strikes, Qatar and Saudi Arabia reportedly intercepted multiple incoming missile barrages targeting oil and industrial sites.

Plumes of smoke rise over the oil depot tanks hit by joint Israel-U.S. over night in a station north west of the capital on March 8, 2026 in Tehran, Iran; illustrative.

Iran attacks may shift Gulf states from de-escalation to backing regime defeat - analysis

With large expat populations and large numbers of foreign workers, Gulf States thrive based on trade and having airports open and oil tankers able to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

Smoke rises above Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 5, 2026

Saudi Arabia rejects war with Iran and views Israel as a destabilizing force - opinion

The Gulf states see conflict with Iran as a threat to security, prosperity, and long-term plans.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman waves as he departs following a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, DC, US, November 18, 2025.

Jordan’s careful war calculus in balance as Islamic regime’s future unknown, expert says

Jordan’s carefully balanced neutrality has been expressed through both its diplomatic statements and through its actions, said Ofir Winter, a senior researcher at the INSS, Tel Aviv University.

Jordan's King Abdullah II meets the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha, Qatar, March 17, 2026

Over 200 US troops wounded in Operation Epic Fury as Iran war enters third week

The US military's Central Command said the vast majority of those wounded had suffered minor injuries and 180 troops had already returned to duty. Ten of the injuries are serious, it said.

A US Navy sailor signals an F/A-18E Super Hornet on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in support of the Operation Epic Fury attack on Iran at an undisclosed location March 4, 2026.

Trump warned Iran strikes could trigger retaliation on US Gulf allies, sources say

Pre-war intelligence assessments did not say that Iran’s response was "a guarantee, but it certainly was on the list of potential outcomes," said one source.

US President Donald Trump waves as he arrives at the White House from Florida, in Washington, DC, US, March 9, 2026

Gulf sources warn incomplete US strikes could leave Iran a lasting threat to oil routes - analysis

"There is a wide feeling across the Gulf that Iran has crossed every red line with every Gulf country,” said Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Saudi-based Gulf Research Center.

Iran and Israel flags on Middle east geopolitical map.

Gulf states use Israeli expertise against Iranian missiles, drones, ambassador to US says

According to Leiter, Israel has extended its help to all the Gulf countries interested in receiving it after more than 2,000 missiles and drones were launched against them by Iran.

Smoke rises in the sky after blasts were heard in Manama, Bahrain, February 28, 2026.