Wars test judgment as much as strength. The joint US–Israeli aggression against Iran has opened a volatile and unpredictable chapter in Middle Eastern history. The legality and morality of this attack will be debated for years. What has already reshaped the region, however, is Iran’s decision to expand the conflict into the Arab Gulf, a zone that was neither a combatant nor a party to the confrontation.

The GCC states had publicly called for restraint, supported diplomatic mediation, and consistently emphasised de-escalation. Oman’s mediatory role had reportedly yielded tangible progress before hostilities began, with Omani officials later indicating that understandings were within reach.

Even after the first strikes, Gulf capitals reiterated calls for dialogue rather than alignment. In strategic terms, the Gulf was a grey zone geographically proximate, hosting US bases under long-standing defence arrangements, yet not active combatants and not advocates of escalation.

Despite this, Iranian retaliatory actions have extended beyond US bases to energy and civilian infrastructure across the Gulf. Qatar has confirmed the interception of incoming Iranian projectiles. Energy facilities and commercial sites have been targeted in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and even Oman. Whether intercepted or struck, the signal was unmistakable: what began as a confrontation between the US/Israel and Iran has become a broader regional security crisis affecting states that neither initiated nor endorsed the war.

Saudi Arabia’s response has been calibrated but firm. It has condemned violations of sovereignty, reaffirmed the priority of regional stability and activated defensive preparedness, placing its capabilities at the disposal of Gulf partners.

The UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain have also issued coordinated statements underscoring territorial integrity and rejecting aggression. Air defence systems have been reinforced, energy infrastructure protection intensified, and internal security heightened.........

© The Friday Times