Gulf States Flip — Now Urge Relentless Strikes On Iran

In a dramatic reversal, key Gulf powers that once warned against war with Iran are now pushing for the fight to continue — and in some cases, even considering joining it.

Officials from across the Gulf told The Times of Israel that countries including United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain now believe Iran’s military must be decisively weakened before any ceasefire is considered.

It’s a striking shift. Before the war, these same states urged restraint, warning Donald Trump against launching strikes. But after coming under direct Iranian attack — including missile and drone strikes on civilian infrastructure — the calculus has hardened.

From Caution To Confrontation

Iran’s retaliation appears to have backfired.

Tehran reportedly expected Gulf capitals to pressure Washington into a ceasefire after being hit. Instead, the attacks — which disrupted oil, gas and tourism across the region — have triggered the opposite response: a growing consensus that Iran’s military threat must be crushed.

“Ending the war with Iran still armed would be a strategic disaster,” one Gulf official said bluntly.

The shift underscores a stark reality: for many in the region, this is no longer a distant geopolitical contest — it’s a direct fight for survival.

Calls To Break Iran’s War Machine

While all sides agree regime change is unlikely, there is broad alignment around one goal — degrading Iran’s ability to wage war.

Some officials argue the campaign should continue until Tehran’s missile and drone production facilities are destroyed, even if Iran retains the technical know-how to rebuild. The aim, they say, is “generational damage” — setting Iran’s capabilities back decades.

The war, launched through US and Israeli operations targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure, has already expanded far beyond its original scope. Iran has struck all six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council — including Kuwait and Oman — raising fears of a full regional conflagration.

Yet even within the bloc, divisions remain.

Cracks Beneath The Surface

Oman stands out as the main dissenting voice, urging a rapid end to hostilities. Its foreign minister has called for diplomacy, warning that prolonged conflict risks spiraling beyond control.

Even among hawkish states, there is unease about how long the war should continue. Some officials warn of “diminishing returns” if the campaign drags on, particularly if Iran adapts or rebuilds.

There are also concerns about the long-term security picture. Several Gulf states are already planning to ramp up air defenses and anti-drone systems, signaling an expectation that the Iranian threat will persist regardless of how the current war ends.

Alliance Strains And Regional Fallout

While anger is overwhelmingly directed at Iran for attacking its neighbors, frustrations with Washington are quietly growing.

Some Gulf officials have criticized what they see as inadequate US planning for Iran’s retaliation — a miscalculation that left critical infrastructure exposed. As a result, there are early signs that regional powers may diversify their security partnerships rather than rely so heavily on the United States.

At the same time, tensions with Israel are complicating the picture. Anger over its operations in Lebanon — particularly against Hezbollah — is eroding goodwill, with some officials warning that civilian harm risks undermining broader regional alignment.

A War Rewriting The Region

The conflict is rapidly reshaping alliances and priorities across the Middle East.

What began as cautious opposition to war has morphed into a hard-edged demand for decisive action against Iran. But beneath that shift lies a deeper uncertainty: how far is too far — and what kind of region will emerge when the fighting finally stops?

SOURCE

Says who? The Gulf States would like everything calm again and never wanted the moron in chief to do anything at all.

Meanwhile, people are going to go to prison for shredding Epstein documents.