Gulf Allies Urge US to Continue Iran War

Gulf allies, primarily Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are privately urging United States President Donald Trump to continue the month-long US-led bombing campaign against Iran. They argue that Iran has not been sufficiently weakened and that the current moment presents a historic opportunity to cripple Iran's clerical rule. Officials from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain have conveyed that military operations should not end until there are significant changes in Iran's leadership or behavior. The United Arab Emirates, which has faced over 2,300 missile and drone attacks from Iran, is particularly hawkish, pushing for a ground invasion, a stance supported by Kuwait and Bahrain. In contrast, Oman and Qatar favor a diplomatic solution. Saudi Arabia insists that any settlement must neutralize Iran's nuclear program, destroy its ballistic missile capabilities, end support for proxy groups, and ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open. Donald Trump is balancing between claims of Iran's readiness to settle and threats of escalation, while struggling to gain domestic support for a war that has caused over 3,000 deaths and shaken the global economy. Iran has warned of retaliatory strikes on neighboring countries' critical infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened.