Saudi Researcher Criticizes U.S. Military Action in Iran, Calls for Rethink of Regional Security Ties
Gulf States Express Concern Over Exclusion from U.S. Decision-Making
A prominent Saudi researcher has sharply criticized the United States for launching military operations against Iran without consulting its Gulf allies, warning that the move could reshape the regionâs security landscape. According to the researcher, the United States failed to coordinate with key partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) before beginning strikes, raising questions about the reliability and future of U.S.-Gulf defense relations.
âThe United States did not seek input from Gulf allies prior to the conflict,â the researcher said, adding that the presence of American military bases in several Gulf states did not translate into the protection or strategic inclusion of their host nations. âAfter the war, we will reconsider the regional security system and our relations with the U.S.,â he cautioned.
The remarks, which have reverberated across the Gulf region, reflect mounting frustration among Arab Gulf leaders who feel sidelined by Washingtonâs unilateral approach to escalating tensions with Iran.
Growing Rift Between Washington and Gulf Capitals
The criticism comes at a delicate time for U.S.-Gulf relations. For decades, the United States has maintained a strong military presence across the region, hosting significant installations in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. These bases have been positioned as both deterrents against aggression and reassurance for Gulf monarchies concerned about Iranian expansionism.
Yet, in recent years, Gulf leaders have voiced concerns about inconsistent American policies on regional security. The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, hesitation during attacks on Saudi oil facilities in 2019, and Washingtonâs shifting focus toward Asia have all contributed to doubts about long-term American commitment.
The recent strike campaign against Iran, carried out without prior consultation with Gulf allies, appears to have deepened those concerns. Officials in several Gulf capitals reportedly learned of the attack only minutes before its execution â or in some cases, after hostilities had begun.
âThe foundation of trust between Washington and Gulf partners is showing visible cracks,â said a Riyadh-based analyst familiar with defense policy. âThe perception now is that the U.S. is making major regional decisions without considering the direct consequences for the very states whose territory hosts its forces.â
American Bases Under Scrutiny
The researcherâs assertion that U.S. military installations have âfailed to protect the host countriesâ underscores a broader debate about the strategic purpose of those facilities. American bases in the Gulf have long been seen as symbols of stability, projecting power while deterring hostile action. However, that perception has been challenged repeatedly over the past decade.
In 2019, the drone and missile strikes on Saudi Aramcoâs Abqaiq and Khurais facilities â widely attributed to Iranian-linked groups â temporarily knocked out half of the kingdomâs oil production. Despite the proximity of U.S. radar and defense systems, the attacks went largely undetected. The episode sparked anger in Riyadh and other Gulf capitals, renewing questions about the effectiveness of the U.S. security umbrella.
Now, with another conflict unfolding across the Gulf waters, skepticism is spreading about the reliability of defense commitments. Gulf policymakers worry that being drawn into a broader U.S.-Iran confrontation could expose them to direct retaliation, while offering little benefit in terms of national security.
A Region at a Strategic Crossroads
For the Gulf states, the current crisis comes amid their expanding diplomatic engagement beyond the traditional Western sphere. In recent years, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar have deepened ties with China, India, and Russia â seeking what they term a âmulti-polarâ approach to foreign policy. This diversification of alliances reflects a broader calculation: reliance on a single superpower no longer guarantees stability.
In that context, the unilateral U.S. move against Iran may accelerate regional conversations about alternative security arrangements. Some analysts suggest that the GCC could pursue a more collective defense posture, independent of Washington, possibly incorporating new regional mechanisms involving Middle Eastern or Asian partners.
âAfter this war, Gulf countries will inevitably assess whether the current framework still serves their national interests,â said an academic expert based in the UAE. âWe might see the beginning of a gradual but significant strategic recalibration.â
Historical Context: A Long Alliance Strained
The United Statesâ security partnership with Gulf nations stretches back to the mid-20th century. Following Britainâs withdrawal from the region in the early 1970s, Washington assumed the role of principal security guarantor, establishing a web of military ties designed to protect oil shipping lanes and counter Soviet influence.
During the 1991 Gulf War, American forces led the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait, cementing the U.S. role as the regionâs chief military power. The 2003 invasion of Iraq further expanded U.S. military presence, but it also seeded long-term instability that continues to shape regional dynamics.
In recent years, however, the partnership has faced unprecedented strain. Differences over Iran policy, human rights issues, and oil production decisions have complicated coordination. For many in the Gulf, the latest military campaign â launched without consultation â symbolizes a broader pattern of U.S. unilateralism that disregards local perspectives.
Economic Implications and Energy Market Volatility
The conflictâs economic repercussions could be significant, especially for energy markets. The Gulf region remains the worldâs primary oil-exporting hub, and any disruption to trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz can send global prices soaring. Early market reactions have already reflected anxiety, with crude oil benchmarks surging amid fears of regional escalation.
A prolonged military confrontation could also undermine investor confidence in Gulf economies that are heavily reliant on energy exports. Even as Saudi Arabia and its neighbors diversify their economies through ambitious initiatives like Vision 2030, stability remains a prerequisite for sustaining foreign investment and tourism.
International shipping firms have begun reassessing routes in the Persian Gulf due to heightened risk, while insurance premiums for tankers transiting the area have spiked. âEvery missile strike in the region has a ripple effect on global trade,â an economist based in Dubai noted. âFor Gulf nations striving to project economic resilience, this surge in risk perception is damaging.â
Regional Reactions and Diplomatic Maneuvers
Across the Middle East, reactions to the U.S. strike have been mixed. While some countries have quietly welcomed American efforts to contain Iranâs military reach, others fear the conflict will spiral into a broader confrontation that destabilizes the entire region.
In Saudi Arabia, leading commentators and academics have echoed the researcherâs sentiment â calling for a reassessment of defense arrangements and greater regional autonomy. Kuwait and Qatar, which host major American installations, have reportedly expressed concerns through diplomatic channels, pressing for de-escalation and emphasizing the need for dialogue over force.
Iran, meanwhile, has vowed retaliation, heightening the risk of strikes on Gulf territory that might inadvertently pull host nations deeper into the conflict. This scenario underscores the researcherâs warning about the vulnerability of states that have aligned too closely with Washingtonâs military strategy.
Evaluation of Gulf Security Future
The unfolding crisis could mark a turning point in the Gulfâs defense architecture. Several regional analysts envision a gradual pivot toward a more self-reliant defense system that blends Western technology with homegrown capabilities. Investments in advanced missile defense systems, drones, and cyber defense infrastructure have already begun to increase, signaling a desire for autonomy.
Moreover, the GCC states are likely to explore collaborative mechanisms that allow for faster coordination during emergencies. That may include shared intelligence platforms, joint air defense networks, and regional response forces that operate independently of external powers.
Still, such transformations take time and substantial resources. For the foreseeable future, U.S. forces remain deeply embedded within the Gulfâs security framework, even as calls for recalibration grow louder.
Looking Ahead: A Potential Redefinition of Alliances
In the wake of the military escalation with Iran, questions loom over what kind of relationship Washington and its Gulf partners will maintain. While the United States continues to describe the Gulf as a cornerstone of its Middle East strategy, trust erosion on both sides may compel a partial realignment.
If Gulf states pursue closer security or trade partnerships with Asian powers, the balance of influence in the region could shift dramatically. Such developments would not only diminish American sway but also reshape global energy and defense networks that have underpinned world stability for nearly half a century.
For now, the immediate concern remains preventing the Iran conflict from engulfing the wider region. Yet beyond the current moment, the Saudi researcherâs remarks encapsulate a broader sentiment emerging across the Gulf â that the era of unquestioned U.S. dominance in regional security could be coming to an end.