Several Gulf Arab nations are strongly condemning Iran following a series of missile and drone attacks targeting cities and key infrastructure across the region, though they have so far avoided direct military retaliation.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have publicly criticized Tehran’s actions in recent days, accusing Iran of escalating regional tensions and targeting civilian facilities.
Bahrain submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council on Sunday condemning what it described as Iran’s “egregious attacks” on Gulf states. The resolution calls on Iran to “immediately and unconditionally” halt what it described as provocations and threats against neighboring countries.
Speaking on behalf of GCC members, Bahrain characterized the missile and drone strikes as a “heinous” violation of international law and warned that the attacks pose a serious threat to regional stability and international security.
The proposed resolution also accuses Iran of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, including airports, energy installations, and facilities related to food production and distribution.
While condemning the attacks, Bahrain’s proposal also emphasizes that Gulf states reserve the right to respond through “individual or collective self-defense” if necessary. The draft resolution notes that military force could be used to protect shipping lanes and oil shipments from further Iranian strikes.
Despite the sharp rhetoric, Gulf states have not yet committed to direct military action against Iran.
An unnamed official from the United Arab Emirates told The National that while GCC leaders favor a halt to hostilities and renewed negotiations, Iran’s recent attacks have shifted the focus of future diplomatic talks beyond Tehran’s nuclear program.
“Any new negotiated settlement with Iran will no longer be confined to the nuclear aspect,” the official said. “Missiles are now center stage.”
The official also said the scale of Iran’s attacks surprised regional leaders, even though many Gulf states had long prepared for potential hostilities.
“We did not think that Iran would actually risk the relations of all its neighbors,” the official said.
Saudi Arabia also issued a statement condemning Iran’s actions, accusing Tehran of threatening regional stability by striking civilian infrastructure such as airports and oil facilities.
“The continued Iranian attacks represent further escalation, with significant implications for bilateral relations,” the Saudi government said, warning that Iran could ultimately suffer the greatest consequences from continued aggression.
Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, described the attacks as a “dangerous miscalculation” in an interview with Sky News.
“It is a big sense of betrayal,” he said, noting that Qatar and other Gulf states had sought to avoid involvement in the broader conflict.
“We made clear that we were not going to take part in any wars against our neighbors,” he added.
Despite their condemnation of Iran, many Gulf states appear reluctant to engage directly in the conflict. Analysts say leaders in the region are attempting to maintain a neutral posture that could allow them to help broker negotiations between Iran, the United States and Israel.
Regional experts note that domestic political considerations may also influence this cautious approach. Several Gulf nations have significant Shiite minority populations, and direct cooperation with Israel against Iran could spark internal unrest.
Meanwhile, tensions continue to spread across the region. Iran has launched strikes not only against Gulf states but also against other countries including Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Turkey reported intercepting another Iranian ballistic missile on Monday using NATO air defense systems, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly attempted to soften tensions by apologizing for some attacks — before retracting his remarks following criticism from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Security analysts warn the situation could also strain relations between Gulf states and the United States, as regional leaders weigh the costs of hosting U.S. military infrastructure while facing Iranian retaliation.
Experts believe Gulf and Iranian officials may already be conducting back-channel discussions to prevent further escalation and protect critical economic interests, including energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
For now, Gulf states appear determined to condemn Tehran’s actions while avoiding steps that could pull them fully into a wider regional war.
