Gulf States Urge Trump to Prolong Iran War Until Missile Threat Neutralized, Officials Reveal
Gulf Arab nations, initially wary of U.S. military action against Iran, are now pressing President Donald Trump to extend the conflict until Tehran’s missile and drone capabilities are severely degraded, according to multiple senior officials from the region[1][2][3].
The shift in stance comes amid intensifying Iranian attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states—including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—which have resulted in over 25 deaths and more than 200 injuries across the region[2]. The UAE has borne the brunt of these assaults, with strikes sparking fires near luxury hotels in Dubai and disrupting operations at Kuwait’s international airport while knocking out Saudi Arabia’s largest oil refinery[4].
From Opposition to Insistence on Continuation
Prior to the war’s outbreak, Gulf countries lobbied vigorously against U.S. and Israeli strikes, fearing retaliation from Iran that would target their infrastructure and populations[2][3]. Officials from four Gulf capitals told The Times of Israel that they anticipated Iran’s response, including attacks on civilian sites, and preferred diplomatic channels to curb Tehran’s destabilizing activities[3].
“There was serious doubt that military strikes would have the desired effect,” one senior Gulf diplomat explained, advocating for a diplomatic off-ramp as the safer path to regional security[3]. However, the reality of Iranian drone and missile barrages has transformed this caution into a unified call for persistence. “Ending the war with Iran still in possession of the tools it is currently using to target the GCC would be a strategic disaster,” a Gulf official stated bluntly[3].
Saudi Arabia, in particular, seeks maximum degradation of Iran’s cruise and ballistic missile arsenal before any ceasefire, a regional official disclosed to CNN[2]. UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash echoed this sentiment on X, emphasizing that Gulf thinking extends beyond a mere ceasefire to “lasting security,” addressing Iran’s nuclear threats, missiles, drones, and interference in key straits[2].
Trump’s War Aims Align, But Gulf Fears Linger
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has articulated objectives mirroring Gulf demands: destroying Iranian offensive missiles, production facilities, navy, and security infrastructure[2]. President Trump, who described the attacks on Gulf states as the war’s “biggest surprise,” has declared the U.S. and Israel victorious and hinted at impending negotiations, possibly in Pakistan, even as additional troops deploy to the Middle East[2][5].
Yet Gulf leaders remain skeptical. They worry a premature end could embolden Iran, which has escalated demands for a new regional status quo: formal control over the Strait of Hormuz, war reparations, and a realignment of U.S.-Gulf alliances[2]. Iranian officials have threatened further expansion of attacks against Arab neighbors, exploiting existing channels with individual GCC states to fracture unity[1].
“Iran is looking for a new strategic reality after the war where the US and Israel think twice about attacking it again,” one official noted, stressing the need for Iran to similarly hesitate before targeting Gulf nations[3]. While strikes are unlikely to topple the regime, officials insist on “generational damage” to missile and drone manufacturing to prevent rapid restocking[3].
Broader Implications for U.S.-Gulf Ties
The conflict places GCC monarchies in a precarious position, caught between Iran’s desperation and Trump’s war-forward approach, which aligns with Israeli priorities[1][4]. A “rally around the flag” effect has temporarily unified the Gulf against Iranian aggression, but underlying differences persist. Iran has historically cultivated bilateral ties with GCC members to divide the bloc, a tactic it may intensify as its proxies in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen weaken[1].
Concerns also swirl around domestic vulnerabilities. Gulf states have long eyed Shia and other minorities with suspicion, fearing Iranian influence. Tehran might leverage any preexisting networks amid its setbacks elsewhere[1]. Economically, prolonged conflict risks human rights strains and disruptions, though backchannel communications with Iran have helped de-escalate in the past[1].
Trump’s administration must navigate these dynamics carefully. Gulf nations adeptly balance relations with both Washington and Tehran to safeguard interests, much like European countries. If the U.S. fails to secure an off-ramp serving GCC priorities, these states could pursue steps with Iran that undermine American goals[1].
Path to Resolution?
Amid the uncertainty, Trump claimed “productive” discussions with Iran via mediators, citing 15 points of agreement and pausing some strikes[5]. Iran denies direct talks but acknowledges message exchanges through friendly nations, rejecting U.S. proposals while insisting on its conditions[5].
As the war’s next phase looms—with Gulf states at the epicenter of potential escalation—regional powers demand assurances that the post-conflict Iran poses no existential threat. For now, their message to Trump is clear: end the war, but not yet[1][2][3].
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