Middle East
Will Gulf states turn to Israel for protection from Iran?
Threats from Tehran and regional uncertainty are reshaping regional security, but not all Gulf states are moving in the same direction
May 01, 2026
Threats from Tehran and regional uncertainty are reshaping regional security, but not all Gulf states are moving in the same direction
Muscat is the only Gulf capital that has remained friendly with Tehran throughout the war. There is a reason for that, and why those relations will persist.
They may not have the ability to stop the Iran war, but leaders from Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, meeting in Islamabad, are going to try
Escalation is only putting him in a lose-lose situation, so negotiating is the only option. However, Iran's growing leverage could prevent an easy off-ramp.
South Asian and Gulf countries may get hit particularly hard, mostly on energy, remittances, and agriculture. Here's how.
They see the military build-up and know that bombing and regime change can have consequences, especially geopolitical ones
