Saudi Arabia and UAE Prepare for Direct Conflict with Iran

Two key Gulf monarchies are escalating their involvement in the confrontation against Tehran, moving beyond diplomatic measures to concrete military and economic steps. Saudi Arabia has reportedly granted the United States access to a strategic airbase for potential strikes on Iran, while the United Arab Emirates is considering deploying its own forces.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is nearing a decision to join U.S. Military action against Iran. The kingdom's direct entry into the conflict is now described as a matter of time. This marks a significant shift from Riyadh's initial stance of refusing to allow its territory or airspace to be used for bombing campaigns against its regional rival.

The change in policy followed a series of missile and drone attacks by Iran on critical Saudi energy infrastructure and the capital, Riyadh. In response, Saudi Arabia permitted U.S. Forces to utilize Prince Sultan Air Base, located west of the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud publicly warned that the kingdom's patience was "not unlimited," asserting that any belief Gulf states were incapable of responding to Iran was mistaken.

Simultaneously, the UAE is intensifying economic pressure on Tehran. Authorities in Dubai have shuttered institutions linked to Iran and are reviewing plans to freeze billions of dollars in Iranian assets—a move that could severely restrict Iran's access to foreign currency and international trade. Emirati officials are also reportedly discussing sending troops to confront Iran and have advised Washington against pursuing a ceasefire until Iran's military capabilities are significantly degraded.

These actions demonstrate how Arab monarchies are being drawn deeper into the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran. However, Gulf states simultaneously fear that committing troops would cement their status as open adversaries of Tehran. They worry that after any conflict concludes and U.S. Forces potentially withdraw from the region, they would be left facing more complicated and hostile relations with their powerful neighbor alone.

The diplomatic rift continues to widen. On March 21, Saudi Arabia declared Iran's military attaché, his assistant, and three other diplomatic personnel persona non grata, ordering them to leave the country within 24 hours. The Saudi foreign ministry cited ongoing attacks from Tehran as the reason for the expulsion.

Any belief that Gulf states were incapable of responding to Iran is mistaken.

This move followed a joint statement days earlier from foreign ministers of twelve Arab and Islamic nations calling on Iran to cease its attacks on neighboring states. They warned that failure to do so would have serious consequences for Tehran itself and for regional security across the Middle East.

A further concern for Riyadh and Washington is preventing Yemen's Houthi rebels from formally entering the war on Iran's side. Analysts suggest Houthi intervention could draw Egypt and vital shipping lanes like the Suez Canal into the conflict, making direct Saudi participation in hostilities almost inevitable.