Image by sina drakhshani via Unsplash
Several Gulf states are urging Washington to dissuade Israel from attacking oil infrastructure of Iran, fearing that such an escalation could lead to retaliatory strikes on their own energy sites, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar have communicated their concerns to the U.S., warning of potential consequences if Israel proceeds with military action against Iran.
In an effort to avoid being drawn into the conflict, these Gulf nations are refusing to grant Israel access to their airspace for any potential strike on Iran. They have emphasized this stance in discussions with U.S. officials, the sources said. The heightened tensions follow an Israeli missile attack on Iranian targets, to which Tehran has vowed a severe response, raising fears of a broader regional conflict involving the U.S.
The potential fallout from an Israeli strike could extend beyond the region. Gulf sources warned that damage to Iran’s oil infrastructure could have global repercussions, particularly for China, Iran’s largest oil buyer, and for the U.S. economy. With the U.S. presidential election approaching, there is concern that a surge in oil prices to $120 per barrel could harm Kamala Harris’ prospects, as she faces Donald Trump in the November race.
“They won’t allow an oil war to expand,” one Gulf source said, reflecting the broader international stakes at play in the ongoing crisis.
The Gulf states’ concerns come amid diplomatic overtures by Iran to its Sunni neighbors, aiming to use their influence with Washington to de-escalate the situation. Tehran has reportedly warned Saudi Arabia that it cannot ensure the safety of the kingdom’s oil facilities if any regional actors assist Israel in carrying out an attack. A senior Iranian official and a diplomat confirmed these warnings, stating that Tehran’s allies in Iraq and Yemen could retaliate if Gulf states were seen supporting Israel.
“The Iranians have made it clear that opening Gulf airspace to Israel would be viewed as an act of war,” said Ali Shihabi, a Saudi commentator with ties to the Saudi royal family. Diplomatic sources also indicated that Iran had specifically conveyed to Riyadh the risk of strikes by its regional proxies if hostilities escalated.
Discussions over a potential Israeli strike were reportedly a key focus of talks between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi during the latter’s tour of the Gulf. According to sources, this diplomatic activity, coupled with high-level communications between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. defense apparatus, is part of a coordinated effort to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.
In Washington, officials confirmed that Gulf representatives had raised concerns with their U.S. counterparts over the possibility of an Israeli attack on Iran. The White House declined to comment on whether Gulf governments had formally asked the U.S. to restrain Israel’s response, though U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently discussed the matter in a call described as positive by both sides.
