Worst nightmare': anger and frustration as Gulf states bear brunt of war they did not start

"Usually a thriving maritime hub of the United Arab Emirates, now ships stand docked and silent. Not far out along the hazy horizon, a backlog of hundreds of tankers have lined up in recent days, halted along a waterway flooded with danger. Any vessel heading past Ras Al Khaimah out to the Arabian Sea must traverse the world's most treacherous strip of water for shipping today: the strait of Hormuz."

"For decades, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Oman have allowed US military bases, infrastructure or access on their soil, and have been among the largest buyers of American weapons and technology. In return, the US has stood as the Gulf's closest and most significant military partner and protector."

"The perceived Iran threat to the Gulf only became a reality when the US declared the war Iran did not fire first, says Khaled Almezaini, an associate professor of politics and international relations at Zayed University, in Abu Dhabi. There is strong condemnation of the Iranians but at the same time there's a message to the Americans and the Israelis that, well, we have to find a way to end this. This is not our war."

Gulf states including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and others are experiencing unprecedented security threats as Iranian missile and drone attacks target their ports and shipping lanes, particularly the critical Strait of Hormuz. These attacks have disrupted maritime commerce and created significant economic consequences. Historically, Gulf nations have maintained close military partnerships with the United States, hosting American bases and purchasing substantial weapons systems in exchange for security guarantees. However, Gulf leaders now express growing concerns about this relationship, particularly after perceiving US actions as undermining diplomatic efforts and unnecessarily escalating regional tensions. Gulf states emphasize that this conflict is not their war and advocate for diplomatic resolution rather than continued military confrontation.

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