As tensions have once again escalated between Iran and the United States, with reported strikes and retaliatory actions, Iran has immediately targeted Gulf states, including Bahrain and Kuwait. These attacks have drawn sharp condemnation. There have also been reports of impacts and casualties in the broader area, including incidents affecting Qatar, further heightening concerns across the Gulf.
By striking these neighboring countries, Iran is shooting itself in the foot. The Gulf states – Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman – are not peripheral players but essential neighbors whose stability and cooperation are vital for Iran’s own long-term economic development and regional standing. Attacking sovereign nations that have no direct involvement in the core Iran-US disputes risks isolating Tehran further and undermining any prospects for recovery or reintegration into the global economy.
Self-inflicted damage to long-term interests
These are countries that will remain Iran’s neighbors for generations. Geography does not change. Economic interdependence, trade routes, and shared security challenges in the Gulf mean that alienating them harms Iran’s future more than it hurts its targets. Iran’s economy has long suffered under mismanagement, sanctions and isolation; constructive relations with Gulf neighbors could provide pathways for investment, energy cooperation, and market access. Instead, these strikes disrupt that potential. They threaten shipping, energy infrastructure, and the broader business environment that benefits everyone in the region, including Iranian interests.
