March 2, 2026
Saudi Arabia aligned with Israel to press the United States for strikes against Iran. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman advocated for military action during several recent phone calls with President Donald Trump. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu persisted in his efforts to encourage U.S. involvement in attacks on Iran.
Iran’s Retaliation Unites Regional Rivals
Iran responded aggressively after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Saturday eliminated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Islamic Republic targeted six neighboring countries, inadvertently forging unity across the Middle East.
Saudi and United Arab Emirates leaders, once divided, held urgent discussions following missile impacts on their territories. The Saudi crown prince pledged his nation’s full resources to support the UAE, just before confirming strikes on Saudi soil.
Despite Intelligence Assessments
The coordinated assault proceeded even as U.S. intelligence assessed Iran’s military as posing no imminent threat to the American homeland for at least a decade.
Iran’s counterstrikes hit civilian areas, igniting a luxury hotel in Dubai, damaging a high-rise in Bahrain, and striking Kuwait’s main airport. These actions drew widespread condemnation.
While most Gulf states lack formal ties with Israel—except Bahrain and the UAE—they view Iran as a major destabilizing force threatening regional security.
Strategic Push for Immediate Action
In conversations with U.S. officials, the Saudi crown prince warned that delaying strikes would allow Iran to strengthen further. These private overtures contrasted with Saudi public statements denying use of its airspace for any attack, aiming to shield vital oil facilities from reprisals.
Expert Analysis on Gulf Solidarity
Emirati political commentator Abdulkhaleq Abdulla described Iran as the key threat uniting Gulf Cooperation Council nations. “When things get tough, they come together,” he stated.
Saudi geopolitical researcher Salman Al-Ansari emphasized Riyadh’s unwavering security stance amid tensions with the UAE. “Riyadh’s security doctrine remains consistent even amid bilateral tensions with the UAE. We must distinguish between principled commitments and bilateral disagreements. Saudi Arabia’s approach to regional security is not transactional but foundational. The kingdom has never spared, and will never spare, any effort to safeguard regional stability. As the leading pillar of the GCC, Saudi Arabia engaged directly with the leadership of every state targeted by Iran, placing its full political and strategic weight behind their security.”
Saudi foreign policy expert Aziz Alghashian noted the strikes could ease UAE-Saudi frictions, fostering cooperation despite past disputes over Yemen and Sudan conflicts. Both nations consistently oppose Iran.
Dr. Yoel Guzansky, senior fellow at Israel’s National Institute for Security Studies, observed that Gulf states previously urged restraint against Iran. Iran’s broad attacks now drive them toward deeper U.S. alignment. “It’s not just that Iran has united them but [it] may push them towards more co-operation with the US, now they have the legitimacy after being attacked,” he said. Saudi offers of military aid echo similar solidarity when Israel targeted Qatar last September. Oman remains untouched as mediator in Iran-U.S. talks.
Danny Citrinowicz, former Israeli military intelligence head and Iran specialist at the Institute for National Security Studies, highlighted how Saudi Arabia and the UAE now share a clear goal to halt the conflict, fearing assaults on tourism hubs and infrastructure.
