Gulf Nations Voice Discontent Over US Handling of Iran's Retaliatory Attacks
According to officials speaking to the Associated Press, some of America's key partners in the Persian Gulf are expressing significant frustration over what they perceive as inadequate notice and defense support during Iran's recent retaliatory strikes. The attacks, launched in response to actions by Israel and the United States, have left Gulf countries feeling exposed and undervalued in the ongoing regional conflict.
Lack of Advance Warning and Defense Support
Officials from two Gulf nations, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive diplomatic nature of the discussions, revealed that their governments were deeply disappointed with the US approach to the war. They specifically highlighted the initial attack on Iran last Saturday, noting that they received no advance notice of the joint US-Israeli operation.
These officials further complained that Washington had disregarded their repeated warnings about the potentially devastating consequences of escalating hostilities across the entire Middle East region. One official stated bluntly that Gulf countries were not just frustrated but "even angry" about what they see as insufficient US military protection.
Perceived Prioritization of Israel Over Gulf Allies
The Gulf official elaborated that there is a growing belief in the region that US military operations have primarily focused on defending Israel and American troops, while leaving Gulf nations to fend for themselves. This perception is compounded by practical concerns, with the official noting that their country's stock of missile interceptors was "rapidly depleting" under the constant barrage of Iranian attacks.
Governments of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain did not respond to requests for official comment on these matters. However, public figures with close ties to these governments have been openly critical of the United States. Prince Turki al-Faisal, the former Saudi intelligence chief, told CNN that "This is Netanyahu's war", suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had persuaded President Donald Trump to support unnecessary military action.
White House Response and Operational Challenges
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly responded to the criticisms by stating that Iran's retaliatory ballistic missile attacks had decreased by 90% due to Operation Epic Fury, which she said was crushing Iran's ability to produce and launch such weapons. She emphasized that President Trump remains in close contact with all regional partners and that Iran's attacks on neighbors demonstrate the importance of eliminating what she called the "terrorist Iranian regime's threat."
Meanwhile, Pentagon officials have privately conceded significant challenges in countering Iran's drone attacks. In closed-door briefings with lawmakers, defense leaders acknowledged struggling to stop waves of Iranian drones, leaving some US targets in the Gulf region vulnerable. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Congress that the US would not be able to intercept many of the incoming unmanned aerial vehicles, particularly the Shahed models.
Human and Strategic Costs of the Conflict
The human toll of the conflict continues to mount. According to an AP tally based on official statements, Iran has fired at least 380 missiles and over 1,480 drones targeting five Arab Gulf countries since the war began. Local officials report at least 13 people killed in those nations, while six US soldiers were killed in Kuwait when an Iranian drone struck an operations center in a civilian port.
The strategic implications are equally concerning. Gulf countries have emerged as valuable targets for Iran, well within range of its short-range missiles and containing numerous high-value assets including American troops, major business and tourist locations, and critical energy facilities. The disruption to oil flows has global economic implications.
Analyst Perspectives on US Strategic Shortcomings
Bader Mousa Al-Saif, a Kuwait-based analyst with Chatham House, suggested that the United States had underestimated the risks to its Gulf Arab allies, mistakenly believing that American troops and Israel would be Iran's primary targets. "I don't think they saw that there would be as much exposure to the Gulf," he said, characterizing the lack of a comprehensive protection plan for Gulf countries as evidence of "US short-sightedness."
The frustration among Gulf nations is reportedly exacerbated by the relative success Israel has achieved in intercepting drones and missiles compared to its neighbors. According to sources familiar with diplomatic discussions, US officials have been somewhat perplexed that Gulf countries have shown little appetite for launching counteroffensive strikes against Iranian targets.
Long-Term Diplomatic and Security Implications
Elliott Abrams, who served as special representative for Iran and Venezuela during Trump's first term, noted that both US national security officials and Gulf allies were aware of Iran's capability to carry out significant strikes. "And the neighbors knew it and were afraid of it. But it was never clear that Iran would actually do it, because they have a lot to lose," Abrams observed, warning that continued attacks could create long-term enmity and potentially provoke Gulf Arab nations into retaliatory actions against Iran.
Michael Ratney, former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, highlighted the complex position of Gulf countries. While they have an interest in seeing Iran weakened, they also face serious concerns about the economic damage, regional instability, and open-ended nature of the current conflict. Ratney, now a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, posed the critical question: "What comes next? The countries of the Gulf will have to bear the brunt of whatever that is."
The United States and its Middle Eastern allies have even sought assistance from Ukraine, which has developed expertise in countering Iran's Shahed drones through its own conflict experience. When asked about potential Ukrainian help, President Trump told Reuters, "Certainly, I'll take, you know, any assistance from any country." This international dimension adds another layer to the complex security challenges facing the region as diplomatic tensions continue to simmer beneath the surface of military confrontation.
