Gulf nations do not want Israel to attack Iran’s oil facilities. For this purpose, they are asking the United States to stop Israel. They are worried that if Israel strikes, Iran might retaliate and target their oil sites. Different Arab nations, such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar don’t permit Israel to use their military space and take any action against Iran.
This decision reflects their concerns about becoming involved in the conflict as well. Recently, Israel threatened to respond to a missile attack from Iran. At the same time, Iran announced that its revenge for any missile attack would become the cause of many destructions.
In this situation, Arab nations want that Iran should talk to the United States. This situation points out the weak balance of power in the region. The threats are that this conflict would lead to a bigger war that would not only destroy local nations but also the United States.
This week, Iran issued a warning letter about the protection of Saudi oil facilities. According to Iran, it could not protect oil facilities if Saudi Arabia helped Israel in an attack on Iran. According to one of the Iranian officials, if Gulf nations permitted Israeli planes to use their airspace, it would be seen as an act of war.
The nation also said that its supporters in Iraq and Yemen might react if there was any assistance to Israel. This warning came during talks between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who was trying to get support from other countries.
Gulf officials have also been discussing their concerns with US defense leaders. They shared their worries regarding Israel’s possible action. This shows how tense the situation is. To maintain regional stability, nations should act wisely and respond calmly to handle these tensions.
The White House did not comment on whether Gulf countries asked the US to tell Israel to respond carefully to the recent attack on Iran. President Joe Biden And Benjamin Netanyahu had an affirmative talk about the actions of Israel.
Jonathan Panikoff, a former U.S. intelligence officer at the Atlantic Council, thinks that Gulf nation’s concerns about Israel’s actions will matter. They want to Israel not act with aggression.
One of the major concerns is oil supply. However, OPEC under the leadership of Saudi Arabia, can compensate for any oil lost from Iran if Israel targets Iran’s oil facilities. However, if the oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are targeted, then the world would face great oil shortages. Saudi Arabia is careful about Iranian threats, especially after the 2019 attack on its Aramco oilfield, which cut over 5% of its global oil supply. Iran denied being involved in that attack.
Riyadh is still making efforts to improve its relationship with Tehran. But there are still trust issues in the Gulf. Different nations have US military bases, such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. So they need security help from the United States.
Worries about oil facilities and possible regional conflicts are important in talks between the UAE and the US. For example, in 2022, Houthi forces in Yemen attacked UAE oil trucks. Gulf countries stop Israel from using their airspace because they fear it might lead to attacks on their oil facilities. Instead, Israel can use routes through Jordan or Iraq and can refuel its planes in mid-air for military actions.
Israeli leaders are making plans to target the oilfields of Iran. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that any strike would be deadly and surprising. Israel’s strategy to target Iran’s oil facilities increases concerns of Gulf countries.
They are afraid of missile war if Israel hits Iran’s oil facilities. Such an attack not only has an impact on Iran; also different nations will be affected by the attack, such as China. This nation is the leading oil buyer in Iran. This attack on Israel could also have a bad impact on US politics and the upcoming presidential elections. Therefore, it is important to avoid increasing tensions in the region.
A rise in oil prices to $120 per barrel could harm the US economy and Vice President Harris’s election chances, prompting Americans to avoid escalating the oil conflict. Gulf states face security challenges despite advanced defenses, as Iran’s proximity makes oil installations vulnerable, highlighting the need for diplomatic efforts to ease tensions.
