Saudi, UAE ‘Losing Patience’ With Iran Attacks; May Join US-Israel Strikes: Report

Last Updated:March 24, 2026, 22:54 IST

Saudi Arabia and UAE may join the US Israeli campaign against Iran as missile and drone attacks on Gulf energy and airports threaten regional stability and security.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are increasingly “losing patience" with Iran’s continued attacks on energy infrastructure and airports, and could consider joining military action against Tehran, according to a report citing sources familiar with the matter.

The Gulf nations, which have so far avoided direct involvement in the conflict, may enter the US-Israeli campaign if Iran escalates further by targeting critical infrastructure such as energy and water facilities, the report said.

The development comes amid a sharp rise in Iranian missile and drone strikes across the region, including attacks on oil facilities, airports, and strategic installations in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Sources cited by Bloomberg indicated that while both countries remain cautious about direct military engagement, their stance is hardening as repeated attacks threaten economic stability and energy security in the Gulf.

Recent moves suggest a shift in posture. Saudi Arabia has already signalled that its patience with Iranian aggression is “not unlimited," warning of possible retaliation if attacks continue.

Similarly, the UAE has begun taking tougher measures, including cracking down on Iranian-linked networks and reassessing its previously balanced diplomatic approach toward Tehran.

Despite this, officials suggest that joining the conflict remains a “high threshold" decision, likely to be triggered only if Iran directly strikes vital infrastructure that could disrupt essential services like power and water supply.

The situation underscores growing regional tensions, with Gulf states caught between avoiding a full-scale war and protecting their critical assets from escalating Iranian attacks.

Any move by Saudi Arabia or the UAE to join the conflict would mark a significant expansion of the war, raising concerns of a broader regional confrontation with global implications for energy markets and security.

News world Saudi, UAE ‘Losing Patience’ With Iran Attacks; May Join US-Israel Strikes: Report

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