Gulf States Grapple with Fallout from US-Israel War on Iran, Seek New Security Partners

The recent war waged by the US and Israel against Iran has left Gulf states reeling, forcing a hard reckoning with their security dependencies and economic vulnerabilities. According to a report by The Guardian, Gulf countries are now actively seeking to diversify their security partnerships as they rebuild battered economies and face an emboldened Iran.

Iran’s missile and drone attacks targeted American bases on Gulf soil, turning these countries into frontline targets. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) bore the brunt, facing over 2,200 drones and 563 missiles, intercepting more than 90 percent. Despite this defensive success, the threat from Iran’s missile arsenal remains very real. Tehran’s insistence on retaining control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz — a vital artery for Gulf trade — threatens to choke the region’s economy at will.

The Gulf nations are divided on how to approach Iran going forward. The UAE and Bahrain have taken a hawkish stance, while others hope for renewed diplomatic ties. Saudi Arabia and Iran have even initiated their first official contact since the conflict, signaling a tenuous desire to reduce tensions.

Experts like Kuwait University’s Bader Mousa Al-Saif argue that the Gulf must move away from sole reliance on the US, which many now see as an unreliable and costly protector. Instead, they suggest forging ties with middle powers like Turkey and Pakistan, both of which have large militaries and regional influence. Recent defense deals—Saudi Arabia with Pakistan, UAE with India, and emergency pacts with Ukraine—reflect this pivot toward broader security coalitions.

Yet the idea of a unified "Muslim NATO" remains unlikely due to rivalries and unclear alignments among regional powers. Turkey and Pakistan, for example, share borders with Iran and are reluctant to provoke Tehran. Meanwhile, the UK is also stepping up defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia, further complicating the security landscape.

Analysts like Andreas Krieg of King’s College London note that Gulf states are layering new partnerships on top of their existing US ties rather than replacing them. They plan to invest heavily in missile defenses, port and infrastructure hardening, maritime surveillance, and alternative export routes to reduce their exposure to Iranian retaliation.

The war and its aftermath expose the Gulf’s precarious position: reliant on foreign military presence that makes them targets, yet questioning the reliability and cost of that protection. As the region grapples with this new reality, the risk of perpetual conflict looms large — and the economic stakes could derail ambitious diversification plans like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

The US and Israel’s war on Iran has not only destabilized the Gulf but also forced its nations to rethink their security models and alliances. The coming months will reveal whether these countries can escape the cycle of violence or if they remain ensnared as pawns in a larger geopolitical struggle.