As tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, Tehran’s retaliatory attacks have expanded beyond Israel and direct US military targets. Iranian strikes have increasingly targeted the Gulf states, causing civilian casualties, damage to energy infrastructure and air traffic disruptions. The response from Gulf states so far has been strong condemnation, active and rapid measures to protect and help civilians and a calculated policy of strategic restraint aimed at preventing a wider regional war. They have avoided direct military escalation with Iran, prioritizing regional stability and diplomatic solutions.
Iran’s retaliation has involved a large-scale aerial campaign using missiles and drones directed toward the Gulf states. The scale of the attacks has been significant, as, unlike the previous escalations, Iran has diversified the targets to pressurize regional actors. As per reports, more than 260 missiles and 1,440 drones were launched toward the UAE since the escalation began, causing four civilian deaths and at least 117 injuries. Saudi Arabia intercepted Iranian drones headed toward Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter and the Shaybah oilfield, one of the kingdom’s key energy assets. As per reports, an attack on the residential area in Al-Kharj Governorate killed two people and injured 12.
Iran also targeted energy assets, civilian areas and US military assets in other Gulf states. In Bahrain, Iranian strikes targeted the Bapco refinery complex, causing a fire and forcing the state-owned energy company to declare force majeure and halt shipments temporarily. A drone strike in Sitra injured 32 people, including children. Kuwait also experienced some of the deadliest consequences of the escalation. According to official sources, at least 12 people have been killed in Iranian strikes. Qatar faced serious disruptions due to repeated attacks, forcing the country to temporarily halt energy operations. Given Qatar’s role as a leading exporter of LNG, accounting for roughly 20% of global LNG supply, such targeted attacks have serious implications for global energy security. In addition to casualties and infrastructure damage, the attacks have disrupted regional airspace, logistics and maritime navigation. Energy markets and global supply chains have also felt the effects of the escalatory nature of the conflict.
Despite the repeated attacks and violations of sovereignty, the Gulf states so far have chosen not to get entangled in the war. Iran has repeatedly stated that US military assets across the region constitute legitimate targets during periods of escalation. However, even though Saudi Arabia does not host major permanent US combat bases used for operations against Iran, the kingdom was still targeted. This raises serious questions about the calculations, intentions and credibility of Iran’s claims that its attacks are directed solely at US military assets. Saudi Arabia has condemned what it described as “heinous Iranian aggressions” against Saudi Arabia and other GCC states, calling the repeated attacks by Iran a violation of international law.
The UAE has also adopted a similar approach. The UAE described the Iranian attacks as brutal and unprovoked acts that targeted civilian infrastructure and violated international law and the UN Charter. Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani described the attacks as a “betrayal,” noting that Gulf states had repeatedly assured Iran that they would not allow their territory to be used for military operations against it. Similarly, Kuwait and Bahrain also issued strong condemnations and emphasized their right to self-defense as well as their commitment to regional stability.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) emphasized that attacks on civilian infrastructure and energy facilities represent dangerous escalations with global economic implications. The bloc has also stressed adherence to international law and the protection of sovereignty. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi stated that the security of the GCC states is indivisible, emphasizing that any attack on a member state or its joint forces would be regarded as an attack on the entire bloc.
Even amid severe attacks, the GCC states have refrained from launching retaliatory strikes against Iran. One of the most striking aspects of the response from the Gulf states has been strategic patience and restraint. Despite missile attacks, civilian casualties and infrastructure damage, the Gulf states have chosen not to escalate militarily. This reflects a clear understanding that Iran may seek to expand the conflict by drawing regional states into the confrontation. By avoiding retaliation, the Gulf states have so far been successful in denying Tehran the opportunity to change the nature of the conflict into a broader regional war. This is crucial, as a wider war serves Iran’s interests in a war of attrition.
Iran’s decision to target the Gulf states also reflects a paradox. In recent years, the Gulf states, including Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have played key roles in mediating tensions between Iran and Western powers. Their diplomatic channels and regional influence have often facilitated dialogue during crises. Given this reality, Iran’s attacks on the Gulf states are rather strange as these are the only few states capable of helping Tehran manage tensions with Washington and ensure stability. By targeting them, Iran has undermined the constructive role played by the Gulf states and has renewed the skepticism and mistrust that are likely to shape the regional dynamics in the future.
Amid the escalations, President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an apology to the Gulf states, describing them as “brothers” and pledging that Iran would halt attacks if their territories were not used for operations against Iran. However, Iran continues to attack the Gulf states. Moreover, Pezeshkian’s statement was in stark contrast to the statements and signals from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC warned that banks, financial institutions, Western technology companies and digital infrastructure, including firms such as Google, could become legitimate targets. These threats carry broader implications for the Gulf states that have invested heavily in technology as a part of their economic transformation. Global partnerships with international technology companies are an important fulcrum of the Gulf states’ diversification strategy. Threats against global technology firms and digital networks, therefore, appear aimed at exploiting these pressure points. By targeting sectors linked to technological development and innovation ecosystems, Iran is trying to increase pressure on the Gulf states — essentially by changing their targets from military assets to civilian infrastructure.
The response and escalation by Iran have already changed the regional perception of the Iranian establishment. In recent years, the Gulf states and Iran have made progress toward diplomatic normalization and economic engagement. However, the current attacks are likely to complicate that trajectory. People-to-people relations between Iran and Gulf societies will also be complicated. Moreover, any kind of economic, security and technological cooperation initiatives could now face reconsideration. Regional integration involving Iran will likely become more difficult as a consequence of Iran’s recent aggression.
Despite the severity of the crisis, the Gulf states have consistently emphasized diplomacy as the preferred path forward. Leaders across the region have called for ceasefires, dialogue and renewed negotiations. This approach reflects both strategic calculation and the Gulf states’ consistent adherence to international law. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, proposed by the Gulf states and Jordan, condemning Iran’s attacks on the Gulf states and Jordan as violations of international law and threats to international peace. The statement condemned attacks on civilian areas, called for Iran to immediately halt aggression and reaffirmed the Gulf states’ right to defend their security and sovereignty under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
In short, the Gulf states’ approach of strategic restraint is characterized by defensive measures, diplomatic coordination and reliance on international legal mechanisms. This approach is adopted with due consideration for domestic public interests and the need to preserve regional stability and the security of global trade routes. This highlights the Gulf states’ role as responsible stakeholders in the regional order amid crises, prioritizing stability and security and aligning national interests with the interests of the international community.
