Why the Gulf States are calling for restraint in the Israel-Iran tensions
Despite decades of hostility with Iran, the Gulf States are aiming for regional stability rather than conflict.
Early Friday morning, Israel launched several strikes in Iran, targeting the country’s nuclear enrichment facilities. The attacks also reportedly killed key members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
In response, Iran launched a barrage of drones aimed at Israel, which the Israeli military is currently working to intercept.
In the wake of these attacks, the Middle East is on edge. Widespread condemnation has emerged from the Arab world, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), against Israel. Oman, for instance, stated that Israel was “undermining” ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations.
Given their longstanding animosity toward Iran, the unified Arab opposition to Israel has left some observers perplexed—especially considering recent diplomatic developments in the region.
The 2020 Abraham Accords marked the normalization of relations between Israel and four Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain. Building on this momentum, the idea of a "Middle Eastern NATO" gained traction in foreign policy circles in 2022. That year, King Abdullah II of Jordan expressed conditional support for the concept in an interview, contingent on the creation of a Palestinian state.
However, for much of the Middle East—including the Gulf states—regional stability remains the top priority.
While Israel and Iran are geographically distant, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries lie in much closer proximity to the Islamic Republic. As a result, any escalation in conflict has a significantly higher chance of spilling over into these states.
For example, during the Iran-Iraq War, merchant vessels in the Persian Gulf—including those belonging to GCC members—were targeted in a series of attacks.
Adding to regional concern is the presence of U.S. military assets across the Gulf. Given Iranian Defense Minister General Aziz Nasirzadeh’s previous warning that Iran would strike American bases in host countries, GCC states are urging restraint to avoid becoming battlegrounds.
Moreover, the GCC's primary focus today is on economic diversification away from oil dependency. This includes substantial domestic and foreign investments in sectors such as entertainment and technology.
However, conflict deters foreign investment. Stock markets in the region declined following the Israeli strikes, reflecting investor anxiety.
Consequently, the GCC is working to de-escalate tensions—not only for the sake of regional peace but also to safeguard their economic interests.