Dubai: As the US-Israel conflict with Iran intensifies across the Middle East, Gulf countries are adopting a cautious approach to safeguard themselves while avoiding direct involvement in the escalating regional hostilities. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations are focused on shielding their populations and vital infrastructure from increasing Iranian retaliatory attacks.

According to Anadolu Agency, governments in the GCC are prioritizing the protection of their territories, particularly as Iranian strikes are increasingly reaching urban centers and critical energy establishments. Leonardo Jacopo Maria Mazzucco, a security analyst specializing in the region, emphasized the careful strategy being employed by the Gulf states. "Their goal is to defend their territory and critical infrastructure while avoiding being drawn directly into the broader conflict," Mazzucco noted.

Since the onset of US and Israel's offensive against Iran, hundreds of drones and missiles have been intercepted in GCC countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. Civilian infrastructure, including airports and oil facilities, has also been targeted. Anna Jacobs, a non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute, highlighted the shared security challenge faced by these nations. "There are important differences between all the Gulf states but right now they are confronting a shared national security threat," she explained.

Despite the common threat, analysts indicate that the GCC states are not pursuing a unified strategy. Ali Bakir, an assistant professor at Qatar University, observed that while these countries rely on their defensive capabilities, they express mutual political support. "Their calculations are based on the understanding that they are equipped to defend themselves and can absorb the negative financial and economic implications of the conflict," Bakir added.

Currently, Gulf states have abstained from joining the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. However, analysts suggest that a shift in strategy could occur if attacks on Gulf territories persist. Mazzucco mentioned that the governments emphasize their right to self-defense, leaving the door open for possible strikes against Iranian territory if the assaults continue. Bakir warned that ongoing attacks might strain missile defense systems and inflate the financial burden of regional airspace defense.

In efforts to de-escalate tensions, Gulf nations are also pursuing diplomatic avenues. They have increased diplomatic coordination and urged for negotiations, with GCC and EU ministers holding an emergency meeting to address the crisis. Despite possessing advanced military capabilities, countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are keen on avoiding direct confrontation with Iran, Bakir remarked.

Mazzucco emphasized the importance of air-defense systems, noting their effectiveness in intercepting incoming threats. However, sustaining such a defense could become challenging over time. To mitigate pressure on missile inventories, Gulf militaries are employing additional measures like deploying surface combatants and attack helicopters to counter aerial threats.