Saudi Arabia and UAE Near Agreement with US for Role Against Iran
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are drawing closer to cooperation with United States (US) forces and Israel for war against Iran. This follows continuous attacks by Iran that have disrupted the economies of Gulf states and risk giving Tehran long-term influence over the Strait of Hormuz.
According to detikNews, several recent steps have been taken by Middle East allies to support US capabilities for airstrikes and to open new avenues of attack against Tehran’s finances. However, they have not yet openly deployed their militaries in the conflict.
Although Gulf states have stated they do not wish to cross the line into direct war with Iran, pressure is mounting because Tehran threatens to exert greater authority over the energy-rich region.
The report states that Saudi Arabia recently agreed to allow US forces to use the King Fahd airbase on the western side of the Arabian Peninsula. Previously, the kingdom said it would not permit its facilities or airspace to be used for strikes against Iran, but this may soon change due to Iran’s continued bombardment of the capital Riyadh with missiles and drone attacks on Saudi energy facilities.
“Saudi Arabia’s patience with Iranian attacks is not unlimited,” Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan told reporters last week after a series of Iranian attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure. “The belief that Gulf states are incapable of responding is a miscalculation,” he stated.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman now seeks to rebuild deterrence and is close to deciding to join the strikes. A source told the Journal that “it is only a matter of time before the kingdom enters the war.”
As the war approaches one month, the UAE has begun targeting Iranian assets, threatening vital lifelines for Tehran’s rulers, while considering whether to send their military to the battlefield and lobbying against a ceasefire that would leave parts of Iran’s military capabilities intact, according to the report.
The UAE recently closed the Iranian Hospital and Iranian Club in Dubai, according to sources familiar with the closures. The hospital’s phone number, WhatsApp channel, and website were inactive on Monday (23/3), and Dubai health authorities said the facility is no longer operational.
“Certain institutions directly linked to the Iranian regime and the IRGC will be closed based on targeted actions after being found to have been misused to advance agendas that do not serve the Iranian people and violate UAE law,” a government official said in a statement.
The UAE, long a financial hub for Iranian business, has warned Tehran that after suffering heavy attacks at the start of the war, they could freeze billions of dollars in Iranian assets. Such steps could significantly limit Iran’s access to foreign currency and global trade networks, contributing to the collapse of its economy, which is already suffering from inflation and sanctions.
With recent attacks on energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, and Qatar, Gulf states are increasingly united in their hatred of Iran. Qatar condemned the attacks as a dangerous escalation and a direct threat to its national security.
Middle East allies continue to communicate with the Trump administration about next steps in the war with Iran. However, if Iran continues attacks on Gulf states, experts say those countries will likely have no choice but to join the war.