Gulf Arab countries hosting U.S. military infrastructures are expressing significant unease after the United States launched attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. Despite their discomfort, these nations refrained from overtly condemning the actions of their key ally, the U.S.
On June 22, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry released a call for "de-escalation and restraint," indicating that they were closely monitoring the situation with grave concern. Qatar's response was also notable; in a statement that avoided naming the U.S., they expressed regret over the escalating tensions arising from the strikes, urging all involved parties to demonstrate wisdom and restraint. This was in stark contrast to their earlier statement condemning Israel for its actions against Iran, which highlighted the seriousness of the issues at stake.
Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates echoed similar sentiments without mentioning the U.S. specifically, expressing their "deep concern" over the bombings by emphasizing the need for caution in the region.
The presence of American bases in these fossil-fuel-rich countries and the extensive military personnel stationed there place these facilities in a vulnerable position for potential Iranian retaliation. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps of Iran hinted at this vulnerability, remarking that the U.S. bases are not strongholds but rather points of weakness, thus signaling a precarious balance in the evolving geopolitical landscape.
On June 22, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry released a call for "de-escalation and restraint," indicating that they were closely monitoring the situation with grave concern. Qatar's response was also notable; in a statement that avoided naming the U.S., they expressed regret over the escalating tensions arising from the strikes, urging all involved parties to demonstrate wisdom and restraint. This was in stark contrast to their earlier statement condemning Israel for its actions against Iran, which highlighted the seriousness of the issues at stake.
Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates echoed similar sentiments without mentioning the U.S. specifically, expressing their "deep concern" over the bombings by emphasizing the need for caution in the region.
The presence of American bases in these fossil-fuel-rich countries and the extensive military personnel stationed there place these facilities in a vulnerable position for potential Iranian retaliation. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps of Iran hinted at this vulnerability, remarking that the U.S. bases are not strongholds but rather points of weakness, thus signaling a precarious balance in the evolving geopolitical landscape.
