Gulf States Harden Stance on Iran Amid Escalating Conflict and Hormuz Disruption

Iran: Amid sustained missile and drone attacks and the strategic disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf nations are recalibrating their stance toward Iran, increasingly viewing its leadership as a long-term existential threat.

Since the outbreak of hostilities on February 28—following joint military action by the United States and Israel—the UAE has faced the bulk of retaliatory strikes. According to official figures, more than 2,000 drones and missiles have been launched toward the country, with over 80% targeting civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, refineries, airports, ports, hotels, and data centers. The attacks have resulted in six civilian deaths and 157 injuries.

Senior Emirati officials have strongly condemned the nature of these strikes. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, described the situation as “an attack on a peaceful nation committed to diplomacy,” underscoring the disproportionate targeting of non-military assets.

Despite mounting casualties and infrastructure damage, all six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council have thus far refrained from direct retaliation, limiting their response to defensive measures. However, officials indicate that patience across the region is diminishing.

Gulf leaders have emphasized that any durable political settlement must address Iran’s broader strategic capabilities, including its nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile arsenal, and network of regional proxies. Meanwhile, Iranian assertions that strikes are limited to U.S. military targets have been firmly rejected by Gulf authorities.

Majed Al-Ansari, adviser to the Prime Minister of Qatar, stated that attacks on civilian targets have persisted across the region, resulting in casualties in all GCC states. He noted that the toll would have been significantly higher without advanced U.S.-supplied air defense systems.

The disruption of the Strait of Hormuz—through which approximately 35% of global crude oil and 20% of liquefied natural gas transit—has amplified international concern. Analysts warn that prolonged instability in this critical corridor could have far-reaching economic consequences.

Al Jaber characterized the disruption as “global economic warfare,” cautioning that it could drive inflation, slow economic growth, and increase the cost of living worldwide. “This is not merely a regional issue,” he said, “but a global economic challenge affecting households everywhere.”

Echoing this sentiment, Muhanad Seloom of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies argued that Iran’s actions have crossed critical thresholds, reshaping regional calculations. He suggested that a premature cessation of hostilities without addressing these threats could embolden Tehran and destabilize the broader region.

As the conflict intensifies, Gulf nations appear increasingly aligned in seeking a long-term outcome that decisively curtails Iran’s capacity to project military and strategic influence beyond its borders.