Pressure to Sustain War with Iran; Hidden Rifts in the Persian Gulf and the Scenario of ‘Complete Paralysis’ of Tehran
Pressure to sustain war with Iran has intensified, as some Persian Gulf countries seek to “completely paralyze” Tehran while regional hidden rifts deepen simultaneously.
As the Middle East war enters a costly and attritive phase, recent reports indicate that some of the United States’ key allies in the region not only do not seek an end to the conflict, but emphasize its continuation and even escalation. This shift in position, particularly among Arab Gulf states, represents a significant transformation in the region’s security and political calculations.
According to a report published by the Associated Press, countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have requested the continuation of military operations against Iran in behind-the-scenes negotiations with Washington. They believe that the recent month-long attacks have yet to achieve the primary objective of structurally weakening the Islamic Republic. This comes even as these same countries expressed dissatisfaction at the outset of the conflict over insufficient coordination with the United States and Israel, and warned of the far-reaching consequences of war.
Now, however, the tone of these actors has changed. The report states that some of the aforementioned countries view this moment as a “historic opportunity” for fundamental change in Iran’s behavior or power structure. In this regard, officials from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain have emphasized that ending operations before achieving such objectives will not guarantee their long-term security.
Riyadh specifically believes that an early end to the war would not lead to a “good deal.” Saudi Arabia’s demands include complete containment of Iran’s nuclear program, elimination of its missile capabilities, and ending support for proxy groups in the region. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has adopted an even more aggressive approach, seeking to review the option of a ground offensive; a matter that could escalate the level of conflict to an unprecedented degree.
These countries’ security concerns are not unfounded. The UAE has been targeted by hundreds of missile and drone attacks in recent weeks, which has put pressure on its position as a safe economic and tourism hub. Kuwait and Bahrain, while with greater caution, also support tougher options.
In contrast, not all regional countries share the same view. Oman and Qatar continue to emphasize diplomatic solutions and warn against further escalation of the conflict. These differences of opinion reveal a deep rift forming within the Gulf Cooperation Council.
At the international level, Donald Trump has taken varying positions. On one hand, he speaks of Tehran’s possible readiness for a deal, and on the other, he threatens to escalate attacks. However, he recently stated: “Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain are all fighting and responding.” These remarks come even as these countries have not yet directly entered offensive operations, though their infrastructure and bases remain at the disposal of US forces.
Meanwhile, Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, has attempted to send a different message to regional countries. He wrote on the X social media network: “Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation. Our operations are against aggressive invaders. The time has come to expel American forces.” This positioning reflects Tehran’s effort to prevent the conflict from expanding to the entire region.
Nevertheless, the danger of war escalation remains serious. Iran has warned that if attacked on its critical infrastructure, it will respond against the strategic facilities of neighboring countries, including desalination plants. Such a scenario could create widespread humanitarian and environmental crises in the region.
From a military perspective, the complexity of operations has been cited as one of the obstacles to direct participation by US allies. The congestion in the region’s airspace has increased the risk of fatal errors such as friendly fire; as reports of mistaken downing of American fighters emerged in the early days of the conflict.
The war, which has so far left thousands dead and had serious impacts on the global economy, now stands at a critical juncture. Pressure from some actors to continue the military path, coupled with warnings from others about its catastrophic consequences, has placed the region on the threshold of a fateful decision; a decision that could shape the future of the Middle East for years to come.
