Overview:
The Iran Gulf Conflict is escalating as Gulf Cooperation Council nations condemn Iranian strikes on energy infrastructure, airports, and military sites while strengthening regional defenses.
The conflict arising from the Iran-Gulf war is evolving rapidly. There is much international interest in the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel. The items covered by this article represent material published as of March 10, 2026. This article will not cover the role of Iran’s allies, including Russia, China, and/or North Korea, as these would all be separate articles written later. Several members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have condemned Iran’s actions and called for de-escalation.
Image: Hégésippe Cormier via Wikimedia Commons (GFDL)
The Iran Gulf Conflict and the Gulf Cooperation Council Response
Relations among GCC countries have become a primary goal for maintaining productive telecommunications and encouraging stable relations with Iran, in order to ensure continued economic cooperation during an unstable time in a region facing multiple significant conflicts. According to reports from the Associated Press, Iran has launched missiles and drones targeting U.S. bases in the region during the conflict.
United Arab Emirates
- Attacks: Iran fired missiles toward several Gulf cities, including those in the United Arab Emirates, according to Reuters reporting. Reuters reported that airline pilots are encountering growing safety risks from drone and missile activity as the conflict spreads across the Middle East.
- Response: The UAE has declared a “state of defense” and has activated its air defense systems. The UAE has emphasized containment and defensive measures.
Saudi Arabia
- Attacks: According to Reuters, Saudi Arabia said it intercepted numerous drones over the country’s eastern oil-producing region following Iranian attacks. Iran has launched strikes on ports, cities, and oil facilities in several Gulf states, raising concerns among analysts that the conflict could widen, according to a report from Reuters.
- Response: Riyadh has responded to the attacks with threats of retaliation; however, they maintain diplomatic pressure for now. Saudi Arabia does not want to plunge the region into a destabilizing war. However, they have been among the most vocal and active in strengthening defenses.
Bahrain
- Attacks: According to Reuters, the commander of U.S. Central Command said Iran fired several attack drones at civilian residential neighborhoods in Bahrain. Some regional outlets reported that details about the incident remain limited. Regional media reported damage to industrial facilities, including a desalination plant, though details remain limited.
- Response: Shipping security risks in the Persian Gulf have increased significantly following strikes reported in countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain, according to Seatrade Maritime.
Qatar
- Attacks: Qatar halted liquefied natural gas production at the Ras Laffan complex amid a wave of Iranian strikes on energy infrastructure across the region, according to Reuters.
- Response: Qatar has engaged its air defense systems, and the Qatar Emiri Air Force has maintained high readiness. Qatar had disruptions to air travel, but has since partially reopened its airspace at the Hamad International Airport.
Oman
- Attacks: Reuters reported that two drones struck Oman’s Duqm commercial port, while debris from another drone fell near fuel tanks.
- Response: Oman condemned military actions between multiple factions in the conflict and called for a return to diplomatic talks.
Kuwait
- Attacks: Iran also fired missiles toward Kuwait, with several intercepted by regional air defenses, according to Reuters.
- Response: Kuwait raised its military readiness and heightened security measures after the strikes. Falling debris from intercepted missiles reportedly injured several soldiers, according to local reports. The Emir ordered security and military forces to heighten security measures. Additionally, fire service personnel have been responding to fires and handling fallen debris.
Israel’s Standing with the United States
Photo: Roy Kur / IDF Spokesperson’s Unit via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).
During this conflict, the United States and Israel have been working together to coordinate military operations against Iran. The U.S. has provided intelligence, logistics, and military assistance to Israel. Al Jazeera reported that the Israeli military said it had struck Iranian missile sites and parts of the country’s air-defense systems.
The Associated Press reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed in a Feb. 28 strike, citing Israeli officials. His death has created uncertainty within Iran’s leadership structure.
Photo: Khamenei.ir via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).
Analysts cited by the Atlantic Council say the joint operations could strengthen U.S.-Israeli strategic cooperation. As cooperation progresses, both countries’ strategic interests will continue to converge.
A Diminished Proxy Network
Iran‘s extensive support network of regional proxy forces has also been adversely affected due to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf with the United States. After Iran’s 1979 revolution, however, Iran became more successful at engaging and supporting multiple Iranian-backed groups throughout the region. Since that time, Iranian-backed proxy groups have existed and operated throughout the region, including, but not limited to, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and Yemen, with two of the most significant being Yemen’s Houthis and Lebanon‘s Hezbollah.
According to Al Jazeera, Yemen’s Houthi movement has largely stayed out of the fighting between the United States, Israel, and Iran for now, although the group has previously carried out attacks on vessels in the Red Sea. This has caused widespread disruption. Analysts say the Houthis could face logistical challenges if Iran’s support weakens.
Hezbollah, which had already suffered a number of setbacks in its ongoing feud with Israel, has continued on this demoralizing trend. Reuters reported that Lebanon’s prime minister said the government will ban Hezbollah’s military activities after the group launched missile and drone attacks on Israel. Following Hezbollah’s entrenchment into Lebanese politics, analysts have pointed to increased activity from the Lebanese government to act against Hezbollah, following two years of losses from 2024 to 2025. Analysts say this trend may have accelerated after the United States and Israel began direct military action against Iran.
Since 2008, Lebanon’s central government has largely avoided direct confrontation with Hezbollah. Furthermore, political gridlock created by the veto power of Hezbollah left the political leadership in Lebanon defeated by the military capacity of Hezbollah.
A Power Vacuum
Analysts writing for the Atlantic Council said the war could significantly reshape the Gulf’s regional order and security dynamics. A power vacuum could emerge. Should the Iranian government fail or otherwise weaken, other established powers in the Middle East region may compete to fill the void left by Iran’s diminished power. Large numbers of armed groups may attempt to pursue objectives that were previously out of reach. The outcomes of these changes will be further complications to an already fragile regional environment, as well as creating new challenges for millions of people across the region.
Sources:
Reuters — “Iran’s strikes on Gulf states may widen war against Tehran, analysts say”
Reuters — “As war spreads, airline pilots contend with drones, missiles – and stress”
Seatrade Maritime News — “Shipping security risk increases dramatically in Persian Gulf”
Reuters — “Iranian attacks on civilians won’t go unanswered, CENTCOM commander says”
Reuters — “Qatar LNG, Saudi refinery, Israeli oil, gas fields down due to Mideast strikes”
Reuters — “Drone hits fuel tank at Oman’s Duqm port”
Al Jazeera — “Why Yemen’s Houthis are staying out of Israel-US fight with Iran – for now”
Reuters — “Iranian missiles shake Gulf cities after US, Israeli strikes on Iran”
Reuters — “Lebanese prime minister says Lebanon will ban Hezbollah’s military activities”
Atlantic Council — “The Gulf that emerges from the Iran war will be very different”
Al Jazeera — “Iran war: What is happening on day seven of US-Israel attacks?”
Editor’s Disclaimer: Developments in the Iran Gulf Conflict are unfolding rapidly. Information in this article reflects reporting available as of March 10, 2026, and is based on reports from international news agencies and publicly available sources at the time of publication. Due to the fluid nature of the situation, some details may evolve as additional verified information becomes available. Presence News will update this article as new developments are confirmed.
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