The delicate balancing act of the Arab monarchies in the Persian Gulf appears to be unraveling as both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) take significant steps towards deeper involvement in the ongoing conflict against Iran. A report from The Wall Street Journal highlights that Saudi Arabia has granted the United States permission to operate from the King Fahd air base, breaking from its previous public stance that refused to allow military operations against Iran on its territory. This shift comes in response to escalating Iranian attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure, forcing Riyadh to reconsider its approach.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly contemplating direct military action against Iran, with sources indicating that his decision hinges more on timing than the choice itself. “Saudi Arabia’s patience with Iranian attacks is not unlimited,” asserted Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, following a series of recent strikes against Gulf energy assets. Compounding these developments, US officials have confirmed damage to five US Air Force refueling aircraft stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base, highlighting the tangible costs to Saudi Arabia in this escalating conflict.
In a parallel move, the UAE has ramped up efforts to curtail Iran’s financial footprint on its soil. Authorities in Dubai have shut down the Iranian Hospital and the Iranian Club, asserting that these institutions were being misused to further agendas contrary to UAE law. The UAE government warned of potential freezes on billions of dollars in Iranian assets, a step that could severely undermine Tehran’s access to foreign currency and trade networks just as its domestic economy flounders under sanctions and inflation. Since the onset of the conflict, the UAE has reportedly endured over 2,000 Iranian attacks.
Furthermore, Iran’s recent claim of seeking control over the Strait of Hormuz has alarmed Gulf monarchies. Tehran has proposed charging transit fees through the strait, reminiscent of Egypt’s Suez Canal toll system, raising concerns about potential Iranian leverage over a key global shipping route. This speculation has further heightened anxieties across the region.
Tensions escalated dramatically when Iran struck Qatar’s Ras Laffan energy hub, along with critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE, reportedly in retaliation for an Israeli attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field. Qatar condemned the actions as an alarming escalation and a direct threat to its national security. Arab states had previously appealed to the U.S. for intervention against Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities, but U.S. officials revealed that Washington was informed of the Israeli strike in advance and chose to allow it to proceed, further frustrating Gulf leaders.
Moreover, verified footage suggests ground-based missiles targeting Iran may have been launched from Bahrain, complicating the Gulf states’ public narratives. As the conflict continues to evolve, leaders from Saudi Arabia and the UAE are actively lobbying the U.S. administration to ensure Iranian military capabilities are significantly weakened before any ceasefire is established. Experts note that the Gulf monarchies find themselves in a precarious position, caught between the desire to deter Iranian aggression and the risks associated with open military engagement.
As events unfold, the delicate threads of diplomacy and military strategy in the Gulf region seem to be fraying, leaving leaders grappling with ever-increasing pressures to respond amid a rapidly shifting landscape. The question remains: how far will these nations go to protect their interests in a war that threatens to engulf them?
Categories: Middle East, Politics, International Relations
Tags: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Middle East Conflict, Energy Crisis, Diplomacy
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/world/is-us-iran-war-about-to-take-a-new-turn-uae-and-saudi-arabia-prepare-to-join-conflict-says-report-11774319197583.html
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Publish Date: 2026-03-24 09:13:00
