Why Iran Is Targeting Gulf Nations, Jordan Amid War With US: Their Ties With Warring Nations Explained

Last Updated:July 13, 2026, 14:47 IST

Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan Face Fire From Iran: The strategic and diplomatic relationships these six nations hold with the United States and Iran are deeply complex

As the West Asia crisis escalates, five Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations — Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – and their non-GCC neighbour Jordan came under direct missile and drone attacks from Iran.

Following a third round of intense U.S. military strikes on Iranian coastal cities, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched retaliatory strikes against what it claimed were U.S. military bases, communications networks, and strategic installations hosted across these countries.

THE TARGETS HIT OR ENGAGED

• Qatar: Targeted the Al Udeid Air Base. Iranian forces claimed to have struck a command-and-control center and a fighter jet maintenance hub. Qatari air defenses intercepted incoming fire, resulting in three injuries from falling shrapnel.
• Kuwait: Attacked by explosive drones and rockets. The targets included a U.S. Patriot air defense system, radar installations, and an ammunition depot. Attacks also damaged three northern land border posts and an offshore oil drilling platform, leaving one worker injured.
• Oman: Hit at the Port of Duqm, focusing on logistics centers and refueling platforms utilized by U.S. aircraft carriers.
• Bahrain: Targeted a U.S. military communications system and radar installations. Reports also indicated missile impacts directed near the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters.
• United Arab Emirates (UAE): Activated immediate interceptor protocols after detecting drone and missile threats crossing outside its borders. Loud explosions from interceptions were heard near Abu Dhabi.
• Jordan: While not geographically on the Persian Gulf, the country was heavily targeted in the same wave. Iran claimed to have struck the Prince Hassan Air Base, targeting drone hangars and a command facility.

Coupled with the regional bombardments, Iran announced the indefinite closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy transit route. This declaration triggered an immediate 4% jump in global Brent crude oil prices. Leaders from the affected Gulf states convened an emergency video conference, heavily condemning the cross-border strikes as violations of their national sovereignty and asserting their right to take defensive military measures.

THEIR TIES WITH US AND IRAN

The strategic and diplomatic relationships these six nations hold with the United States and Iran are deeply complex. While all six maintain ironclad military alliances with the U.S., their individual historical ties with Iran range from pragmatic diplomacy to deep geopolitical hostility.

Qatar

Ties with the U.S.: Critical & Interdependent

Qatar is a Designated Major Non-NATO Ally and hosts Al Udeid Air Base, the largest American military facility in the Middle East. It serves as the primary diplomatic bridge, heavily hosting and brokering the back-channel peace negotiations and MoUs between Washington and Tehran.

Ties with Iran: Fractured

Historically, Qatar maintained a highly pragmatic, cooperative relationship with Iran due to their shared ownership of the massive South Pars/North Dome gas field. However, the direct 2026 Iranian strikes on Qatari territory—including attempts to hit Hamad International Airport and Al Udeid—have shattered this dynamic. Doha strongly condemned the attacks as an unprovoked “violation of sovereignty" and suspended direct communications.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Ties with the U.S.: Strong but Calibrated

The UAE is a massive purchaser of American hardware and relies on Washington for its ultimate security umbrella. Despite this, Abu Dhabi has historically attempted to avoid becoming a staging ground for offensive operations against Iran to prevent its business and tourism hubs from being targeted.

Ties with Iran: Hostile

While the UAE and Iran share billions of dollars in historical commercial trade, political relations have disintegrated. Following the outbreak of the 2026 Iran War, the UAE shifted to a hawkish stance, supporting aggressive deterrence against the Iranian regime. Iran’s decision to directly fire cruise and ballistic missiles into Emirati airspace has pushed ties to a historical low.

Bahrain

Ties with the U.S.: Essential Security Hub

Bahrain holds a vital security status as a Major Non-NATO ally and the permanent host of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters. It is entirely dependent on American military protection to secure its sovereignty.

Ties with Iran: Deeply Adversarial

Bahrain’s Sunni royal family has long accused Iran’s Shiite-majority regime of attempting to subvert its government by backing domestic militant groups. Bahrain holds one of the most hawkish anti-Iran stances in the Gulf, completely backing U.S. and Israeli actions to neutralize the Iranian military threat.

Kuwait

Ties with the U.S.: Core Strategic Defence

Kuwait is bound to the U.S. by an extensive Defense Cooperation Agreement signed after the 1991 Gulf War. It hosts thousands of American troops across several key military installations, including Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem Air Base, making it an indispensable asset for U.S. regional logistics.

Ties with Iran: Strained Neutrality

Kuwait traditionally prefers a neutral, “middle-ground" foreign policy in regional disputes. However, hosting U.S. Patriot missile batteries and military installations has repeatedly placed Kuwait in Iran’s direct crosshairs, forcing Kuwait’s military to actively engage and intercept Iranian drones.

Oman

Ties with the U.S.: Longstanding & Cooperative

Oman has historically granted the U.S. military access to its airfields and ports, such as the Port of Duqm. Muscat coordinates closely with Washington on regional security and anti-piracy efforts.

Ties with Iran: Friendliest in the GCC

Oman has famously acted as the “Switzerland of the Middle East," maintaining close economic, diplomatic, and security ties with Tehran for decades. Even during hot conflicts, Oman favors diplomatic settlements over military action. However, Iran’s missile spillover into Omani territory and its economic choking of the Strait of Hormuz—which Oman co-controls—pushed Muscat to take the rare step of summoning the Iranian diplomat to firmly criticise the attacks.

Jordan

Ties with the U.S.: Deep Strategic & Financial Dependence

Jordan is one of the closest American allies in the Arab world, receiving billions in economic and military aid. It serves as a major hub for U.S. military assets, intelligence sharing, and regional air defense operations.

Ties with Iran: Cold and Distrustful

Amman has watched Iran’s growing regional influence (the “Shiite Crescent") with extreme suspicion, particularly regarding pro-Iranian militias on its northern border with Syria. Jordan’s active military role in shooting down Iranian projectiles flying over its airspace has made it a frequent target of Iranian state media and retaliatory military strikes.

With agency inputs

About the Author

Manjiri Joshi

At the news desk for 20 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci...Read More

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