Allies of US in the Gulf bear brunt of Iran attacks

Allies of US in the Gulf bear brunt of Iran attacks

Amid the serene skyline of Abu Dhabi, where white contrails trace across sand-streaked villas and lushly maintained gardens, a different kind of aerial activity has emerged. Instead of the usual arrival of commercial aircraft, these streaks are from ballistic missiles launched by Iran, the UAE’s vast neighbor across the Gulf. By Sunday afternoon, the UAE defense ministry reported intercepting 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles, and 541 drones. Such an escalation marks a dramatic shift in the region’s security landscape.

Bahrain, too, experienced a sudden disruption. A local resident alerted me on Sunday morning about the airport being under attack after a restless night. “Woken by loud explosions and a wailing siren,” he shared via text. “I counted around 20 booms and at least two hits.” These incidents, though rare, signal a broader pattern. Since the conflict began on Saturday, Iran has expanded its targets beyond military sites—such as the US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain—to include civilian infrastructure like airports, hotels, and commercial districts.

“We are not attacking our neighbors in the Persian Gulf countries, we are targeting the presence of the US in these countries. Neighbors should direct their grievances to the decision-makers of this war,”

stated Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi in a Al Jazeera interview. While some damage to civilian sites is attributed to debris from intercepted missiles, others suggest a deliberate strategy. The frequency of attacks on Bahraini and UAE airports points to more than coincidence, underscoring Iran’s intent to pressure its Gulf allies.

Historically, Iran was known as “the policeman of the Gulf” under the Shah, a title it has sought to reclaim since the Islamic Revolution. The country has consistently urged its neighbors to adopt it as their protector, replacing US influence. Yet, for Gulf rulers who view Iran’s revolutionary ideals as a threat, this latest aggression has crossed a critical line. Their long-standing military ties to Washington have made them prime targets in Iran’s retaliation.

Saudi Arabia and Oman, which have hosted US and Western forces for years, appear to have fared better. Oman’s Duqm port, a key commercial hub, was struck by a drone, but the damage was relatively minor. Saudi Arabia, however, condemned attacks on its Riyadh region and Eastern Province, calling them “blatant and cowardly.” “These attacks cannot be justified under any pretext,” the statement declared, reflecting the kingdom’s frustration with Iran’s actions.

Though Iran has launched attacks on Gulf neighbors before—most notably in 2019 when Iranian-backed militias targeted Saudi Aramco facilities—this scale of strikes is unprecedented. Last June, ballistic missiles were fired at Qatar’s al-Udaid airbase, a response to America’s Operation Midnight Hammer, which destroyed Iran’s nuclear sites. This time, however, the message is clearer: Iran is targeting its neighbors as a way to undermine their alliance with the US.