U.S. Security Guarantees Under Scrutiny in Gulf States

The Arab states of the Persian Gulf have suffered major economic and security costs in the wake of the U.S./Israeli attack on Iran. Iranian missile and drone retaliation hit airports, ports, and energy infrastructure, disrupting aviation, trade, tourism, and energy exports. The scale of the strikes has exposed vulnerabilities in regional defense systems and prompted a re-evaluation of long-standing U.S. security guarantees. Critical hubs in the UAE and Saudi Arabia have reported operational halts, while global shipping through the region faces unprecedented risk levels.