Iran War: Gulf states debate US bases, military alliance

SOURCE: dw.com  |  PUBLISHED: 19 March 2026 at 18:00

The view that the US didn’t consult regional allies before going to war with Iran, then Iran’s retaliation, are raising doubts in the Gulf states: Did hosting US bases make them safer? Or did it make them a target?

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AI Impact Analysis — Score: 8/10

The US-led war against Iran, launched in late February 2026, has drawn Gulf states into a conflict they explicitly sought to avoid, with Iranian strikes hitting critical infrastructure across the region, including energy hubs in Qatar and sites in Saudi Arabia. The attacks have exposed significant gaps in US and Gulf air defence capabilities, as many Iranian missiles and drones successfully penetrated defensive systems, raising serious questions about the practical value of American military presence in the region. Gulf states now face a stark strategic dilemma: hosting US bases was long considered a security guarantee, but the conflict has demonstrated that this presence can make host nations targets rather than protected allies. Saudi Arabia has publicly distanced itself from the war, refusing to allow its territory to be used for offensive operations against Iran, signalling a significant shift in the kingdom’s relationship with Washington. The perception that the US proceeded with military action without consulting regional partners has deepened mistrust, with senior Gulf figures and anonymous regional sources confirming that American warnings were ignored. For Europe, the targeting of Qatar’s major energy hub carries direct economic consequences, as Gulf states are critical suppliers of liquefied natural gas to European markets still adjusting following the disruption of Russian energy supplies. Disruption to Gulf oil and gas infrastructure risks driving energy prices higher across the continent, compounding existing cost-of-living pressures. The broader realignment of Gulf states away from automatic alignment with US strategy could reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics in ways that affect European security partnerships and diplomatic frameworks for years to come. The conflict is accelerating a recalibration of Gulf foreign policy toward greater strategic independence, with potentially far-reaching consequences for global energy stability and regional order.

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