Let us imagine the following scenario: When US and Israeli forces struck Iranian territory on Saturday, the Iranian forces limited their response to targeting Israeli and US naval vessels at sea — nothing more. What would have happened then? In that case, the Gulf Cooperation Council states, along with Jordan and Iraq, would have remained outside the circle of military targeting.

Gulf states face an impossible choice after Iranian attacks: remain passive, or risk being seen as fighting with Israel.

Meeting of six-country cooperation council says option to respond to attacks by Tehran remains on the table