Allies of US in the Gulf bear brunt of Iran attacks
US Gulf Allies Face Escalating Iranian Attacks
Above Abu Dhabi’s azure skies, white contrails slice through the air, contrasting with the sand-streaked villas and lush gardens below. These trails, however, are not from commercial flights but from ballistic missiles launched by Iran, the UAE’s massive neighbor across the Gulf. By Sunday afternoon, the UAE’s defense ministry confirmed it had intercepted 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles, and 541 Iranian drones. The strikes mark a shift in Iran’s strategy, targeting not only military installations like Bahrain’s US Navy 5th Fleet headquarters but also civilian infrastructure such as airports, shopping centers, and high-rise buildings.
Arab States’ Defenses Tested
Residents of Bahrain reported the chaos early on Sunday morning, alerted by loud explosions and wailing sirens. A local shared via text: “I woke to massive bangs and sirens, at least two hits. Maybe 20 explosions.” Such scenes are rare in the region, yet the conflict began on Saturday, pushing Iran to expand its strikes beyond military sites. Now, luxury hotels, commercial hubs, and modern airport terminals are under sporadic attack, revealing vulnerabilities in the Gulf’s air defense systems.
Iran’s Justification for Strikes
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Aragchi, has dismissed claims of targeting Arab neighbors, stating in an Al Jazeera interview: “We are not attacking our Gulf neighbors. Our focus is on the US military presence in these countries.” He framed the attacks as retaliation against Western influence, suggesting Arab states should direct their anger toward US decision-makers. While some damage to civilian areas is attributed to debris from intercepted missiles, others are deliberate, targeting airports in Bahrain and the UAE with increasing frequency.
Historical Context of Iranian Ambitions
Before the Islamic Revolution, Iran was dubbed “the policeman of the Gulf” during the shah’s era. Since then, it has sought to reclaim that role, advocating for regional security leadership under the name Khaleej-e-Fars. Iranian leaders repeatedly urged Gulf states to remove US military forces and embrace Tehran as their protector. Yet, the current attack has forced a reckoning for Gulf monarchies, whose conservative regimes view the Islamic Republic’s radicalism as a threat. Relations with Iran may never return to normal, especially if the current leadership withstands the conflict.
Some Gulf Nations Escape Lighter Consequences
Saudi Arabia and Oman have fared relatively better than other Gulf states. While Riyadh was targeted on Saturday, its government condemned the strikes as “blatant and cowardly,” calling them unjustified. Oman, which maintains diplomatic ties with Iran and mediated nuclear talks between the two powers, suffered a drone strike on its Duqm port. This incident, though significant, pales in comparison to the broader toll on Bahrain and the UAE. The scale of recent attacks exceeds previous actions, such as the 2019 drone strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities or last June’s missile assault on Qatar’s al-Udaid airbase, which Iran claimed was a response to US military operations.
