Gulf Arab nations that host U.S. military forces voiced concern over the recent American strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, yet they avoided outright condemnation of the U.S., classified as a key ally. On Sunday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry emphasized the need for restraint and remarked it was monitoring the developments “with deep concern.” Qatar's Foreign Ministry also took a careful stance, expressing regret over the escalating situation without mentioning the U.S. explicitly, contrasting with its robust condemnation of Israel's actions against Iran the previous day. Likewise, both Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates articulated their serious apprehensions regarding the bombings, without directly referencing the U.S.
Given their rich fossil fuel resources, these Gulf nations are home to thousands of American military personnel, making them potential targets for retaliation if tensions with Iran escalate. Furthermore, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps of Iran issued a statement threatening U.S. bases, labeling them as vulnerabilities rather than strengths. The caution expressed by Gulf nations underlines the delicate balance they are trying to maintain amid escalating hostilities between the U.S. and Iran while safeguarding their strategic and economic interests.
