Renewed US-Iran war is hitting Gulf countries hard
After US strikes on Iran, Iran has targeted US allies in the Middle East. Even if Iran isn't targeting the governments or populations of its
After US strikes on Iran, Iran has targeted US allies in the Middle East. Even if Iran isn't targeting the governments or populations of its neighbors, Gulf countries have much to lose as fighting escalates. Yet again, countries in the Gulf region find themselves on the front line between the United States and Iran. The war began in late February when the US and Israel attacked Iran. A memorandum of understanding intended to stop the fighting was signed by the US and Iran in June. Since then, however, both countries have accused the other of not adhering to the agreement, and fighting has started again. The US has bombed Iran, and Iran has retaliated by striking US allies in the Middle East — that is, mostly Gulf nations. Even if they are not hit directly, all countries in the Gulf region have something to lose should fighting escalate again. US, Iran exchange strikes for second night To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Bahrain is home to a major US Navy base. The recent strikes by Iran saw the country hit directly. As Bahrain is among the smaller Gulf countries, US military installations tend to be closer to residential and commercial areas than in its neighbors. Even limited fighting disrupts civilian life. Politically, Bahrain is in a particularly difficult position.
Like other Gulf countries, Bahrain is a monarchy and represses most political dissent. But, in contrast to other Gulf countries, Bahrain's royal family are Sunni. Estimates suggest that the majority of the population is Shiite. Iran is a Shiite theocracy. Ongoing fighting between Iran and the United States could create tensions within Bahrain, where the government has arrested hundreds of people who allegedly posted anti-war messages online, expressed "sympathy" with Iran or participated in demonstrations, or who the government claims were "spies" working for Iran. Kuwait hosts the largest number of US bases in the Middle East. This includes two air bases and about 13,500 personnel, including contractors. This has made Kuwait a target for Iranian strikes. Previously, Kuwait was more cautious with its foreign policy, often positioning itself as a mediator and emphasizing that it did not want to play a role in the current conflict. Iraq's 1990 invasion was a factor in shaping Kuwait's foreign policy, which is far less activist than those of its neighbors. However, the fact that Iran has attacked Kuwait because of its US bases is likely to cause this attitude to evolve. Observers have already noted that the Kuwait government's protests about Iranian strikes have become more forthright. Camp Arifjan in Kuwait hosts about 10,000 US troops Saudi Arabia is home to a major US air force base. After years of competing with Iran for regional influence, Saudi Arabia has stressed that diplomacy must be the answer if Gulf countries are to coexist in relative peace.
The BriefWire