The Gulf states are on the brink of taking decisive action against Iran, following a series of 'reckless' strikes across the region. This move comes as a response to Iran's repeated attacks on their territory and infrastructure, which have caused significant economic disruption. The United Arab Emirates, in particular, has been vocal in its calls for Arab states to act in self-defence against Iran. This potential shift in neutrality could have far-reaching implications, as it would mean the Gulf states are effectively siding with Israel in a conflict that could shape the future of the Middle East. The situation has escalated rapidly, with Iran's diplomatic efforts to portray itself as the primary destabilising force in the region seemingly falling apart overnight. Iran's secretary of the supreme national security council, Ali Larijani, justified their tactics as a response to US forces based in the Gulf states, but this explanation has lost traction as the attacks have intensified. Hotels, apartment blocks, and oil refineries have been targeted, leading some Arab leaders to believe that Iran's actions reveal a latent arrogance. Iran's strategic aim appears to be to maximise economic disruption in the Gulf states, hoping they will plead for Trump to end the war without their support. The attacks have been widespread, with an Iranian drone strike on Saudi Arabia's Ras Tanura refinery, an attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman, and two drones striking energy facilities in Qatar's industrial city of Ras Laffan. Qatar's former prime minister, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani, warned that Iran has lost the sympathy of the Gulf states and sowed doubts in its future relations with GCC states. The Gulf countries are now facing a surge of anger towards Iran, with many having invested in detente and mediation efforts that have been met with continued aggression from Iran. This has led to a sense of betrayal and a desire for retaliation. The US has also faced criticism for its priorities, with a Saudi Arabian official complaining about the redirection of air defence to protect Israel. However, the primary focus of resentment remains directed towards Iran, with the Gulf states emphasising their previous commitments to Iran, which prevented the US from using their bases or airspace to attack Iran. The Iranian military's response to a US attack has been anticipated, with the expectation that they would target US bases, as seen in their symbolic attack on the US airbase in Qatar. The scale, speed, and breadth of the Iranian attacks have caught Arab leaders off guard, with the UAE withdrawing its ambassador from Tehran and claiming Iran has launched more attacks on its territory than on Israel. The financial cost to the UAE has been significant, with the intercepting of drones costing nearly $2bn. In a joint statement, several Gulf states warned that targeting civilians and non-engaged countries is reckless and destabilising. The attacks have even led to a temporary suspension of the rift between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which had been at odds over commercial and political interests in Sudan and Yemen. The Saudi authorities have also rejected a report suggesting they covertly encouraged an attack on Iran, which could have caused domestic difficulties for the Saudi royal family, given their accusations of Israeli genocide in Gaza. The anger towards Iran has led to a rare public debate within Iran's hierarchy, with questions being raised about the worth of the intended economic chaos and the risk of Gulf military reprisals. Rob Geist Pinfold, a lecturer in defence studies, suggests that Iran knows exactly what it's doing by attacking the Gulf countries, seeing them as a soft target that is easier to hit than Israel.
