Gulf States Urge U.S. To Neutralize Iran Amid Economic Concerns and Escalating Conflict

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – As the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran intensifies, Gulf Arab states are increasingly pressing the United States not to settle for a limited response, but to neutralize Iran’s military capabilities to safeguard the region’s oil lifeline and their economies. Initially hesitant about the conflict, Gulf states have shifted their stance as Iranian attacks have directly targeted their territories.

Shifting Alliances and Economic Stakes

According to three Gulf sources who spoke with Reuters, the initial opposition to the U.S.-Israeli war has given way to a demand for a more decisive outcome. The concern centers on Iran retaining the capacity to threaten oil production and energy infrastructure, which underpins the Gulf economies. At the same time, the U.S. Is reportedly seeking regional backing for the campaign to bolster its international and domestic legitimacy, with President Donald Trump urging Gulf states to join the war effort [Source: The Times of Israel].

“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 [Source: The Times of Israel]. “At first we defended them and opposed the war,” he added, “But once they began directing strikes at us, they became an enemy. There is no other way to classify them.”

Iranian Attacks and Regional Impact

Tehran has demonstrated its reach through attacks on airports, ports, oil facilities, and commercial hubs across the six Gulf states, as well as attacks against Israel and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz [Source: The Times of Israel]. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil transport, carries approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply.

U.S. Military Assessment and Coalition Building

Norman Roule, a geopolitical and energy consultant and former National Intelligence Manager for Iran at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), emphasized the U.S. Military’s preparedness for this scenario. “The U.S. Military has been paying attention to this problem set for many years…they have plans and capabilities,” Roule stated in an interview with The Cipher Brief. He cautioned that a coordinated, international approach is crucial, noting that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway [Source: The Washington Institute].

Roule also highlighted the economic importance of the Strait to Iran itself, with approximately 28% of Iran’s GDP derived from traffic through the port. He suggested that a prolonged closure would ultimately harm Iran’s economy [Source: The Washington Institute].

Defense Capabilities and Future Outlook

Recent reports indicate that Gulf states have demonstrated a high degree of success in intercepting Iranian missiles and drones, largely due to close security cooperation with the United States. The United Arab Emirates, for example, has reported a 94% interception rate for drones and 92% for ballistic and cruise missiles [Source: The Washington Institute]. However, sustaining these defenses will require continued access to interceptors and stockpiles.

Roule noted that the U.S. Navy is focused on reducing Iran’s capacity to launch missiles, deploy mines, and utilize swarm speedboats and submarines. He anticipates a potential development of a convoy system with appropriate security to protect commercial shipping through the Strait [Source: The Washington Institute].

The recent change in Iranian leadership is not expected to fundamentally alter the country’s trajectory. The new leaders, including the new supreme leader Mujtaba Khamenei, are largely drawn from the same Revolutionary Guard background as their predecessors and are likely to continue pursuing Iran’s regional and nuclear ambitions [Source: The Washington Institute].

Key Takeaways

• Gulf states, initially opposed to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, now urge a decisive outcome to neutralize Iran’s military capabilities.
• Iranian attacks on Gulf states and disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz have driven this shift in policy.
• The U.S. Military is assessing options and seeking to build an international coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
• Gulf states have demonstrated strong air defense capabilities, but sustaining these defenses will be a challenge.
• The new Iranian leadership is expected to continue pursuing Iran’s existing strategic goals.