Media: Gulf states urge US not to stop short in Iran conflict

Gulf Arab states did not ask the United States to go to war with Iran, but many now believe Washington should not stop short of significantly weakening Tehran’s military capabilities, according to Gulf and Western sources cited by Reuters.

At the same time, US officials have been pressing regional partners to show support for the US-Israeli campaign, with President Donald Trump seeking broader regional backing to strengthen both international legitimacy and domestic support.

Gulf officials say Iran has escalated the conflict by launching missile and drone attacks on airports, ports, oil facilities and commercial hubs across the six Gulf states, while also disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—a route that carries roughly a fifth of global oil supplies. These actions have intensified fears that Iran could repeatedly threaten the region’s economic lifeline if left with significant military capabilities.

As the war entered its third week, with US and Israeli strikes intensifying and Iran targeting US bases and civilian sites, Gulf leaders increasingly favoured a strategy that would substantially degrade Iran’s military power. Some warned that anything less would leave the region under постоянная угроза.

Despite these concerns, Gulf states remain cautious about direct involvement. The six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council—Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain—have yet to agree on a coordinated response, holding only limited consultations and no formal summit.

Officials stress that unilateral action is unlikely, as it would expose individual states to retaliation. The UAE said it does not seek escalation but will take necessary measures to protect its security. Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Gulf partners were increasing cooperation, particularly on air defence, though details remain unclear.

Regional leaders also fear triggering a broader conflict. Analysts, including Fawaz Gerges of the London School of Economics, describe a strategic dilemma: balancing the immediate threat from Iran against the risks of being drawn into a US-led war.

Iran’s growing leverage is already evident. Its ability to disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has raised global concerns, with experts such as Bernard Haykel of Princeton University warning that the threat could become long-term if not addressed.

Trump has called for an international coalition to help secure the waterway, though with limited response so far. Analysts note that Asian economies—including China and Japan—which rely heavily on Gulf energy supplies, may also need to play a greater role.

By Tamilla Hasanova