Saudi Arabia, UAE mull joining US-Israel war on Iran

Under pressure from the US and reeling from Iranian attacks, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi move toward joining the US-Israeli campaign against the Islamic Republic.

By World Israel News Staff

Two key American allies in the Persian Gulf may soon be joining the joint US-Israeli air campaign against Iran, according to officials and regional analysts.

According to a report published by The Wall Street Journal on Monday, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have taken steps in recent days that signal a shift from their earlier attempts to maintain a low profile in the conflict with Iran.

While neither country has officially committed to military action, both appear to be edging toward deeper participation in the US- and Israeli-led campaign against Iran.

For instance, Saudi Arabia has agreed to allow American forces to operate out of King Fahd Air Base, a reversal from its previous stance that it would not permit its territory or airspace to be used for attacks on Iran.

That shift comes after a series of Iranian strikes against Saudi energy infrastructure, as well as attacks on the capital, Riyadh.

Officials close to the Saudi leadership say that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is now considering joining the offensive, as pressure mounts to re-establish deterrence.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan warned that “Saudi Arabia’s patience with Iranian attacks is not unlimited,” underscoring growing frustration in Riyadh.

Separately, the UAE has also begun taking more aggressive measures, including shutting down Iranian-linked institutions in Dubai and considering broader financial restrictions targeting Iranian assets.

These moves could significantly limit Tehran’s access to global financial networks and foreign currency.

There are also reports indicating that some missile launches targeting Iran originated from Bahrain, another US-aligned Gulf Arab state that has been attacked by Iran repeatedly since Feb. 28.

Iran’s threats to attack shipping in the Strait of Hormuz have further alienated Gulf states, with Arab officials saying that the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council are now urging Washington to decisively weaken Iran’s military capabilities before ending the conflict, fearing that a premature ceasefire could leave them exposed.