The US-Israeli war on Iran could rewrite Gulf security calculations

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by Khalid Al-JaberMarch 1, 2026 at 12:36 PM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

On March 1, 2026, a US-Israeli war on Iran began, immediately impacting the Middle East, particularly the Gulf region. Iran retaliated against the initial bombardment, striking not only Israel but also Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman with missiles and drones, targeting US military bases, airports, ports, and commercial areas. This conflict threatens the established Gulf stability, which relies on US security guarantees, managed rivalry with Iran, and GCC coordination. The prolonged war could force Gulf states to re-evaluate their defense strategies, alliances, and long-term economic plans, potentially disrupting the region's pursuit of stability and economic prosperity. The conflict challenges the recent trend of Gulf diplomacy favoring dialogue and de-escalation.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

China 40% Bahrain 50% Kuwait 50% United Arab Emirates ×260% Ali Khamenei 60% Qatar ×260% Oman ×260% Gulf Cooperation Council 60% Saudi Arabia 70% Israel ×280% United States ×380% Iran ×890%

Keywords

us-israeli war on iran 100% iran 90% gulf security 90% regional stability 80% united states 80% gulf cooperation council 70% diplomacy 60% alliances 50% economic prosperity 50%