Washington DC [US], March 23 (HBTV): As the conflict in West Asia and the Gulf region enters its fourth week with no signs of de-escalation, senior officials from various Gulf capitals have said that their countries are urging Washington to continue striking Iran.
According to The Times of Israel, officials speaking on the condition of anonymity said that after coming under attack, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain believe Iran’s military must be weakened before a ceasefire is achieved, with some even considering joining the offensive.
This comes despite frustration over how the US and Israel are conducting the conflict in West Asia. Gulf countries, particularly the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar, have expressed the desire to ensure that Iran emerges from the conflict with a degraded military capability that no longer poses a threat to the region.
While Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed surprise over the spillover of the conflict across West Asia and the Gulf, Gulf nations had largely anticipated such a response, which was one of the reasons they initially opposed the escalation.
'Ending the war with Iran still in possession of the tools it is currently using to target the GCC would be a strategic disaster,' one Gulf official said.
According to The Times of Israel, officials also acknowledged that US and Israeli strikes were unlikely to bring down Iran’s regime.
Another Gulf official said Iran could still be sufficiently deterred, adding that the conflict might continue 'to a point where there are diminishing returns.' The official further noted that Gulf countries are likely to strengthen anti-drone and air defence systems after the war to better prepare for future Iranian threats, which they believe will persist.
The remarks come amid a rapidly evolving security situation in West Asia and the Gulf.
The broader conflict, which began in late February, has seen repeated exchanges of strikes, raising concerns over a wider regional escalation and potential disruptions to global energy supplies and security dynamics. (ANI)