‘Worst nightmare’: anger and frustration as Gulf states bear brunt of war they did not start

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 5 min read 100% complete by Hannah Ellis-Petersen in Ras Al KhaimahMarch 14, 2026 at 03:27 PM

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long article 5 min

Recent attacks on oil tankers and ports in the UAE, specifically near Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, highlight the growing vulnerability of Gulf states amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran. These incidents, occurring this week and on Saturday, have disrupted maritime activity and raised concerns about regional security. Despite Gulf states' long-standing military partnerships with the U.S. and attempts to diplomatically prevent conflict, they are now bearing the brunt of a war they did not initiate. Gulf leaders, who hosted negotiations and warned the U.S. president of the consequences of attacking Iran, feel they were not consulted before the strikes. The scale of Iran's response has shocked the Gulf states, who fear further attacks on their infrastructure despite assurances to Tehran that their bases would not be used for attacks.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Kuwait 50% Oman 50% Qatar 50% Saudi Arabia 50% Bahrain 50% Fujairah 60% Donald Trump ×270% Ras Al Khaimah ×370% United Arab Emirates ×380% United States ×580% Strait of Hormuz ×285% Iran ×590%

Keywords

gulf states 100% iran 90% united states 80% strait of hormuz 70% oil tankers 60% military bases 60% regional security 50% drone attack 50% diplomatic negotiations 40%