Media: Gulf states reject US use of their airspace for potential attacks on Iran

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have made it clear that they will not allow US warplanes to use their airfields or airspace for potential attacks on Iran. This move comes after US President Donald Trump threatened military action against Iran over the weekend.

A senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters, confirmed to Middle East Eye that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait have all told the US that they will not allow their territories or airspace to be used as bases for any strikes on Iran, including for refueling or rescue operations.

“They don’t want to be dragged into this,” the official stated, indicating that the Gulf states are wary of becoming involved in a military conflict that could have far-reaching consequences for the region.

This resistance from the Gulf states represents a significant setback for the Trump administration, which had hoped to use massive airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen as a demonstration of force to pressure Tehran into resuming negotiations over its nuclear program.

The Gulf states' refusal to support military action against Iran could complicate the Trump administration’s efforts, potentially emboldening Tehran’s negotiating position, as it becomes clear that the oil-rich Arab allies of the US do not back such a move.

In an attempt to sway the Gulf states, the US has ramped up its “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran, focusing on economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

In March, US defense and intelligence officials met with their Emirati and Saudi counterparts in Washington, D.C., around the same time the US initiated its first airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. As part of this intensifying pressure, the Trump administration also approved long-frozen arms sales to Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Qatar was authorized to purchase MQ-9 Reaper drones, while Saudi Arabia secured weapons systems designed to convert unguided air-to-ground missiles into precision-guided missiles.

On March 31, President Trump announced plans to visit Saudi Arabia and potentially other Gulf states as early as May, further demonstrating the US’s commitment to strengthening its ties with the region. However, the continued refusal of the Gulf states to allow their territories to be used in attacks against Iran raises questions about the long-term alignment of the region with US military objectives.

By Tamilla Hasanova