'Iran has crossed every red line': Gulf states urge US to neutralize Iranian threat – report

Arab Gulf states have reportedly asked the U.S. and Israel not to stop their military action against Iran, for fear that it would allow the Islamic Republic to strike the region’s vital oil and energy infrastructure in retaliation. 

The Gulf states did not participate in the decision-making process, which led the U.S. and Israel to initiate the military operations on Feb. 28, but many are now urging the two countries not to stop until the Iranian regime’s military capabilities are neutralized, Reuters reports. 

Reuters cited several Gulf officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, in its report. It also claimed that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has been pressuring the Gulf states to join the military action against Iran in order to demonstrate international resolve and bring it to a close earlier. 

Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Saudi-based Gulf Research Center, told Reuters, “There is a wide feeling across the Gulf that Iran has crossed every red line with every Gulf country.” 

He said that Iran’s attacks on the Gulf states since the opening hours of the war have turned it into an enemy. 

“At first we defended them and opposed the war,” he said. “But once they began directing strikes at us, they became an enemy. There is no other way to classify them.” 

Despite those states not being involved in the military operation against Iran and, in many cases, not initially allowing the U.S. to use their bases to launch strikes on Iran, the Islamic Republic targeted Gulf states indiscriminately.

Iran did not limit its attacks to the U.S. bases in those countries, but began attacking oil and natural gas infrastructure, as well as international shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz. In fact, the Islamic Republic has targeted Gulf states with more ballistic missiles and drone attacks than Israel, with the United Arab Emirates being particularly targeted. 

After two and a half weeks of military strikes, the number and volume of attacks by Iran have declined, but Gulf states are reportedly concerned that the U.S. might declare the war over before the regime has been sufficiently weakened. 

The Reuters report claims that Gulf leaders fear this more than continued fighting. 

“If the Americans pull out before the task is complete, we’ll be left to confront Iran on our own,” Sager explained. 

The UAE, which has steadfastly declined to enter the conflict, even as it has condemned the Iranian attacks, said it “does not seek to be drawn into conflicts or escalation,” however, the nation affirmed its right to "take all necessary measures" to safeguard its sovereignty, security and integrity, and ensure residents' safety. 

Fawaz Gerges of the London School of Economics told Reuters that the Gulf states are weighing the current threat of Iranian attacks against the potential for much worse, if they are drawn into the conflict. 

He said Gulf states could offer little militarily to the current capabilities of the U.S. and Israel, but would face potential long-term consequences for taking part in the strikes.