The Gulf states endured Iranian assaults amid the conflict ignited by US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran starting February 28. Tehran retaliated by targeting more than a dozen regional nations.

The primary focus was the United Arab Emirates, alongside strikes on Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Israel, Oman, Qatar, Iraq's Kurdistan Region, Kuwait, Jordan, and others.

Iran also hit US military installations, underscoring its intent to strike broadly.

Throughout the fighting, Gulf countries projected restraint, absorbing hits while bolstering their air defenses. The sense was they preferred neutrality despite clear provocation.

Iran framed these states as legitimate targets due to US troop presence in some, and Abraham Accords normalization with Israel for UAE and Bahrain.

Views on the Gulf's involvement are shifting. Recent reports highlight several states adopting assertive postures in self-defense and military buildup.

Saudi Arabia Targets Iraqi Militias

Saudi jets struck sites tied to Iran-supported Shi'ite militias in Iraq during the war, with Kuwait also firing back into Iraq, sources told Reuters.

This formed part of wider Gulf countermeasures.

Saudi Arabia Hits Iran Directly

Riyadh conducted undisclosed strikes on Iran in response to attacks on its soil, Western and Iranian officials confirmed to Reuters.

Marking Riyadh's first overt action against Tehran, this avenged the 2019 Abqaiq assault, long warranting retaliation.

UAE Strikes Iran, Gains Iron Dome Aid

The UAE targeted Iranian facilities in April, including a Persian Gulf oil refinery on Lavan Island, per The Wall Street Journal and France 24.

As Iranian drones and missiles rained down, Israel supplied Iron Dome systems and trainers to bolster UAE defenses.

Analysts noted the rationale behind UAE and Saudi reprisals.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee hailed the Iron Dome transfer as a fruit of Abraham Accords goodwill.

Israel's Prime Minister’s Office announced Wednesday that during Operation Roaring Lion, Benjamin Netanyahu made a covert UAE visit, meeting President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, forging deeper ties.

UAE officials downplayed the account, yet the assertion signals strengthened wartime bonds.

Kuwait Repels Iranian Incursion

Kuwait revealed an Iranian bid to assault Bubiyan Island, detaining Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel involved.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned the IRGC's armed breach, which injured a Kuwaiti soldier, Saudi Press Agency noted.

Associated Press added Kuwait accused Iran of a botched island attack near a Chinese-built port, timed before a US-China summit on the war.

Kuwait reportedly hit Iraqi militias too.

Gulf Clampdown on IRGC and Hezbollah Networks

Beyond strikes, Gulf nations arrested Iran-linked operatives, dismantling Bahrain cells.

UAE designated 16 people and five Lebanon firms as terrorists for Hezbollah connections, WAM stated.

This advances UAE's campaign against terror financing.

Bahrain exposed an IRGC-tied group from the former Islamic Scholars Council, per Asharq Al-Awsat.

The cell funded terror, liaised with Iran, Iraq, Lebanon groups, and trained militarily, Bahrain's Interior Ministry said via BNA.