As the United States and Israel’s military campaign against Iran entered its fourth week on March 20, 2026, Gulf Arab states are recalibrating their positions amid escalating regional violence and economic disruption. Saudi Arabia has granted the United States expanded access to a key air base, while the United Arab Emirates has signaled preparedness for a protracted conflict. These moves, according to officials and analysts, reflect a complex reassessment as the war imposes mounting security and economic costs on Gulf nations. The conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28, has drawn Gulf states deeper into hostilities despite their initial opposition. Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, targeting energy infrastructure and challenging longstanding U.S. security guarantees. The situation places Gulf monarchies in a strategic dilemma, balancing deterrence against Iran with the risks of full-scale entanglement in a U.S.-Israeli war.
Expanded Military Access and Shifting Gulf Positions
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