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US allies in the Persian Gulf are reportedly looking to take an active role in the war against Iran in the wake of attacks on their military bases and energy facilities.
Despite stating a clear intent to stay out of the conflict, both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are now moving to directly support America’s air force and open a new line of attack on Tehran’s finances, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The change would offer retaliation for Iran’s repeated attacks on the countries. The Gulf leaders also believe it could further weaken Tehran and its grip on the Middle East.
Following Iran’s latest attacks on Saudi Arabia’s capital and energy facilities, Riyadh has agreed to let American forces use its King Fahd air base on the Arabian Peninsula, sources told the WSJ.
Riyadh had previously said its facilities would not be used to attack Iran in an attempt to stay out of the war, but Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is now close to having his kingdom join the fight against Iran, according to the outlet.
“Saudi Arabia’s patience with Iranian attacks is not unlimited,” Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan told reporters last week following Tehran’s attacks.
“Any belief that Gulf countries are incapable of responding is a miscalculation,” he added.
The UAE, which also saw its energy facilities hit, has made its own moves to crack down on Iranian-owned assets while discussing whether to join the fight themselves.
The UAE recently shutdown the Iranian Hospital and Iranian Club in Dubai, with Abu Dhabi warning that could freeze billions of dollars of Iranian holdings due to the attacks, WSJ reported.
“Certain institutions directly linked to the Iranian regime and IRGC will be closed under targeted measures after being found to have been misused to advance agendas that do not serve the Iranian people, and in violation of U.A.E. law,” the government said in a statement.
Such a move would threaten a key lifeline for Tehran, whose economy continues to suffer under inflation and sanctions.
Along with the airstrikes, the Gulf states could be forced to make a move against Iran after the Islamic republic signaled that it wanted sole control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait serves as a key trade route in the region that oversees the transport of 20% of the world’s oil supply, with Iran keeping the waterway shutdown to anyone it deems an enemy.
Tehran informed its Arab neighbors that it wanted full control of the strait and to charge tolls, as Egypt does with the Suez Canal, sources told the WSJ.
The Gulf states, however, also face the risk that going to war with Iran could create a prolonged conflict that would sow chaos across the region.
The countries might also find themselves without allies if President Trump were to decide to withdraw from the war, leaving them alone with a hostile neighbor.
English (US)