INTERNACIONAL
Why Gulf states aren’t joining the war against Iran — despite attacks on their soil
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Even as Iran expands attacks across the Persian Gulf, several of the countries directly targeted are still refusing to join the fight against Iran, opting instead for restraint and diplomacy. Gulf governments say their priority is defending their territory while preventing a wider conflict that could destabilize the region and global energy markets.
When asked by Fox News White House senior correspondent Peter Doocy about Iran’s strikes on Gulf states Monday, Donald Trump said experts had not anticipated Tehran would target neighboring countries.
«Nobody. Nobody. The greatest experts — nobody thought they were going to hit,» Trump said when Doocy asked about Iranian attacks targeting Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.
TRUMP SEEKS WARSHIPS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES TO HELP SECURE STRAIT OF HORMUZ
A plume of smoke rises from the Zayed Port following a reported Iranian strike in Abu Dhabi on March 1, 2026. Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone campaign in the Gulf has killed three people and wounded 58 in the United Arab Emirates since it began, Emirati authorities said on March 1, the day after the U.S. and Israel launched a nationwide attack on Iran killing its supreme leader. (Ryan Lim / AFP via Getty Images)
Tehran widened the conflict after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian oil facilities earlier this month, expanding retaliation to Gulf energy infrastructure and shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.
Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) recorded at least 25 Iranian attacks against shipping in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz since Feb. 28, as well as strikes targeting energy infrastructure across several Gulf states.
«Tehran targeted Gulf energy infrastructure and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz seeking to raise the costs of the war for the U.S. and its regional partners,» said Luca Nevola, ACLED’s senior analyst for Yemen and the Gulf.
Jacob Olidort, chief research officer at the America First Policy Institute, told Fox News Digital that, «Since Operation Epic Fury began, our Gulf partners have responded with an unprecedented unified front against threats posed by the Iranian regime,» he said, adding that their actions have focused on stopping attacks rather than expanding the war. «This reflects not just a desire to stabilize the region but also a recognition that the U.S. military’s success is what makes that possible.»
Foreign workers look at a tall plume of black smoke ascends following an explosion in the Fujairah industrial zone on March 3, 2026. Iran’s strikes on Gulf neighbors since February 28, following the U.S.-Israeli attack, forced the UAE to shut its airspace, blindsiding travelers who thought they were headed to one of the region’s safest holiday destinations. (Fadel Senna / AFP via Getty Images)
Salman Al-Ansari, a Saudi geopolitical researcher, told Fox News Digital that Riyadh is focusing on maintaining global market stability. «Riyadh is exercising maximum restraint at the moment, but the real question is how long that restraint can last,» Al-Ansari said.
Al-Ansari pointed to a long-standing Saudi strategic philosophy. «Over a hundred years ago, the founder of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz Al Saud, said: ‘The living do not fight the dead.’ Perhaps Riyadh is following this doctrine, at least until further developments unfold,» he said.
Qatar has taken a similar approach. «The State of Qatar’s policies always seek to de-escalate conflicts,» a Qatari official told Fox News Digital. «Qatar is not a party to this war, and we strongly believe that the violence must end through negotiations. At the same time. Qatar continues to defend its country and sovereignty following the Iranian attacks.»
IRAN WAR, 11 DAYS IN: US CONTROLS SKIES, OIL SURGES AND THE REGION BRACES FOR WHAT’S NEXT
Firefighters work in Muharraq, Bahrain, after reported Iranian strikes triggered a fire at fuel tanks near the airport, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Bahrain Information Ministry/Reuters)
Another factor shaping Gulf restraint is a regional policy of refusing to allow their territory to be used for attacks on Iran. Some U.S. military experts say the Gulf’s hesitation is also tied to long-standing concerns about Washington’s reliability in the region.
Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward, a former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, told Fox News Digital that inconsistent U.S. policies have eroded trust among Gulf partners. «Our policies in the Middle East have been more cyclical than a revolving door,» Harward said. «We have failed to earn the trust and confidence of our Gulf partners over the last decade and a half. And that lack of trust and confidence has only exacerbated the threat from Iran to the region.»
The now retired vice admiral said Gulf governments are weighing the risks of escalation carefully. «As these countries consider whether to go on the offensive, they are worried about what happens when we leave,» he said. «Admittedly, these countries are challenged to defend themselves against a country of 90 million without us.»
Regional analysts say Gulf leaders are concerned that if even one country joins the fighting, the conflict could quickly engulf the region.
Abdullah Aljunaid, a Bahraini analyst, told Fox News Digital that if one member of the Gulf Cooperation Council enters the war, it could drag the entire bloc with it. «If any member of the GCC decided to join this offensive, it would obligate the rest of the GCC countries to join at the same time,» Aljunaid said.
The consequences could extend far beyond the battlefield. «You could imagine what the oil prices would be. We are definitely talking about north of $150 per barrel,» he claimed.
HEGSETH BLASTS BRITS, SAYS IRAN’S CHAOTIC RETALIATION HAS DRIVEN ITS OWN ALLIES ‘INTO THE AMERICAN ORBIT’
Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters)
Aljunaid said Gulf leaders are also wary of open-ended military campaigns in the region. «Past experiences show that every time military action is initiated in the region, it never ends according to what was promised,» he said.
Instead, he said Gulf countries are focusing on defensive measures while quietly supporting diplomatic channels, including mediation efforts through Oman.
Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III said Iran made a major strategic mistake by striking Gulf countries. «Iran made a strategic blunder by striking Gulf nations – our allies and friends – with ballistic missiles and drone attacks,» Newton told Fox News Digital.
The retired Air Force commander warned that attacks on key infrastructure such as oil fields or desalination plants could push Gulf states toward a more aggressive response.
«I’m inclined to believe there may potentially be one or two nations in the region inclined to join with the U.S. by going offensive against Iran,» Newton said. «That is certainly within the realm of possibility in the coming weeks.»
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An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps speedboat sails in the Persian Gulf during an IRGC marine parade marking Persian Gulf National Day near the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Iran, on April 29, 2024. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Newton added that the long-term objective for the U.S. and its partners should be preventing Iran from threatening regional stability and global shipping routes. «That includes achieving maritime dominance in the Persian Gulf and setting the conditions for safe passage for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,» he said.
For now, however, Gulf leaders appear determined to contain the conflict rather than escalate it, even as Iranian strikes have already reached their territory.
The UAE did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
war with iran,saudi arabia,middle east foreign policy,wars,israel,donald trump
INTERNACIONAL
Artemis II astronaut tells Trump what communication blackout was like: ‘I said a little prayer’
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The Artemis II cew literally went where no man, or woman, had gone before on a historic trek around the dark side of the moon on Monday, and the crew did it with pilot Victor Glover making a quick request for divine assistance.
«I’d like to ask, what was your feeling when you had no communication?» President Donald Trump asked in a call arranged by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman from Houston mission control to «Integrity,» the crew’s chosen name for the Orion capsule. «Zero communication all of a sudden: It was cut off by obviously your very special location; what was your feeling when you had no communication? A little bit different, perhaps.»
«Yes, Mr. President, it was,» Glover replied. «I said a little prayer, but then I had to keep rolling.»
The prayer was quick, because when things went dark, the crew had to get to work during the 45-minute communications outage.
NASA’S ARTEMIS II CREW COMMITS TO MOON TRAJECTORY AFTER CRITICAL BURN SENDS ORION INTO DEEP SPACE
The moon is seen from a camera outside the Orion spacecraft after Artemis II astronauts surpassed the farthest distance ever traveled by humans from Earth on April 6, 2026. (NASA)
«I was actually recording scientific observations of the far side of the moon,» Glover continued. «You know, that is actually the time when we were the farthest and the closest to the moon.
«And so we were really able to make some of our most detailed observations of the far side of the moon up close. And so we were busy up here working really hard. And I must say it was actually quite nice.»
NASA CHIEF JARED ISAACMAN SAYS ARTEMIS II WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE ‘IF IT WASN’T FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP’
Before going to sleep on flight day 5, the Artemis II crew snapped one more photo of the Moon, as it drew closer through the window of the Orion spacecraft. (NASA)
Trump drilled down on the observations.
«Did you see a difference, a big difference between the far side of the moon and the near side of the moon?» Trump asked. «Was there a difference in feel or difference in look, what did you see?»
The lack of light «certainly did» change the perspective, Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen said, noting the far side looked strikingly different from the near side, with far fewer of the dark plains visible from Earth.
GIANT LEAP FOR MANKIND: AMERICA’S SPACE EDGE IS AT STAKE AS ARTEMIS II HEADS TO THE MOON
«The gravitational pull of the Earth has had a profound effect on the near side of the moon, changing all those dark mares, those dark patches of the moon you see from Earth. It’s very different on the far side.
«While you see some small patches of those mare and deep craters, it’s very much absent on that side. So that’s really neat.»
Hansen also took a moment to thank Trump on behalf of Canada, a country that has had at-times testy dealings with Trump.
This image from video provided by NASA shows the Artemis II crew, from left, Canadian astronaut and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, Commander Reid Wiseman, mission specialist Christina Koch and pilot Victor Glover as they speak with NASA Mission Control in a video conference while en route to the moon, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (NASA)
NUTELLA CAPITALIZES ON GREATEST FREE ADVERTISING MOMENT IN HISTORY ON NASA MOON MISSION
«And while I have the microphone, sir, I just want to thank you on behalf of Canada: The space leadership you spoke of from America truly is extraordinary,» Hansen said. «I’ve said this many times before, a nation that leads like that and creates and sets big goals for humanity, that brings other countries along with it, is truly incredible.
«And I know that’s a very intentional, not a necessary decision, intentional decision to lead by example and to allow other countries like Canada to share our gifts and help you achieve these mutually beneficial goals, like establishing a presence on the moon and eventually going to Mars.
«And Canadians are so proud to be a part of this program.»
TRUMP HYPES MOON MISSION AS ARTEMIS II PREPARES TO LIFT OFF UNDER PRESSURE FROM PAST FAILURES
Trump referenced Canadian hockey great Wayne Gretzky and said the country is proud of Hansen’s bravery.
«They are so proud of you, and you have a lot of courage,» Trump said. «I’m not sure if they’d want to do that. I’m not even sure if The Great One would want to do that, to be honest with you. But you have a lot of courage doing what you’re doing, a lot of bravery and a lot of of genius. But they’re very, very proud of you.»
ASTRONAUT VICTOR GLOVER PRAISED FOR SAYING MOON MISSION IS ‘HUMAN HISTORY,’ NOT ‘BLACK HISTORY’
Split of President Donald Trump and Jared Isaacman. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images, Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Mission specialist Christina Koch spoke about regaining sight of Earth after the blackout and the importance of U.S. leadership in deep-space exploration.
«One of the biggest highlights was coming back from the far side of the moon and having the first glimpses of planet Earth again, after being out of communication for about 45 minutes,» said Koch, the first woman to the moon, who already holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman (328 days) and was part of the first all-female spacewalk.
«It really just reminds you what a special place we have and how important it is for our nation to work, to lead and not follow in exploring deep space.»
Commander Reid Wiseman told Trump the crew had witnessed views that were first sights for humanity, including a solar corona during an eclipse and planets lining up beyond the moon.
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«We saw sights hat no human has ever seen before, not even in Apollo, and that was amazing for us,» Wiseman said. «And then the surprise of the day, we just came out of an eclipse where the sun, moon — the entire dark moon about that big right out the window that we were watching — we could see the corona of the sun, and then we could see the planet train line up, and Mars.
«And all of us commented how excited we are to watch this nation, and this planet become a two-planet species.»
spaceflight, mars, solar eclipse, moon, nasa
Una serie de fuertes explosiones sacudieron este martes la isla de Kharg, el principal centro de exportación de crudo de Irán, tras un ataque de Estados Unidos, según informaron medios de ese país.
La agencia de noticias estatal Mehr y el canal qatarí Al Araby confirmaron las detonaciones en la isla, que gestiona aproximadamente el 90% de las exportaciones de petróleo de la República Islámica.
El medio Axios, citando a un alto funcionario estadounidense no identificado, confirmó que los ataques fueron llevados a cabo por Estados Unidos. Según el reporte fue golpeada únicamente la infraestructura militar de la isla, dejando intacta la infraestructura de procesamiento o a las terminales de carga.
El incidente ocurre en un momento de máxima tensión, apenas días después de que el presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, sugiriera la posibilidad de tomar el control de la isla para asegurar los recursos petroleros de la región, y a horas de que venciera el ultimatum del mandatario para reabrir el Estrecho de Ormuz.
Kharg es considerada una pieza irremplazable para la economía de Teherán; su ubicación en aguas profundas permite el atraque de los superpetroleros más grandes del mundo, una capacidad de la que carecen los puertos menos profundos de la costa continental iraní.
La situación en el Golfo se ha deteriorado rápidamente tras el vencimiento de un plazo impuesto por la administración Trump para la reapertura total del Estrecho de Ormuz. En una entrevista concedida al Financial Times el pasado domingo 29 de marzo, el mandatario estadounidense endureció su retórica al afirmar que deseaba “apropiarse del petróleo de Irán” y que el control de la isla de Kharg es una opción real sobre la mesa.
“Queremos ese petróleo y podríamos tomar la isla”, declaró Trump en la entrevista, vinculando la seguridad de la infraestructura energética con las negociaciones para poner fin a la guerra actual.
Por su parte, el liderazgo iraní ha intentado proyectar una imagen de normalidad operativa. Moussa Ahmadi, jefe de la comisión de energía del parlamento iraní, declaró recientemente a la agencia ISNA que las exportaciones no solo se han mantenido estables, sino que han aumentado en los últimos días, a pesar de la constante amenaza de hostilidades.
El ataque del martes no es el primer contacto bélico en la zona este año. El pasado 13 de marzo, fuerzas estadounidenses llevaron a cabo ataques contra objetivos militares en Kharg, aunque evitaron deliberadamente golpear las instalaciones petroleras para prevenir un desastre ambiental y económico de escala global. Trump afirmó entonces que los objetivos militares habían sido “totalmente obliterados”.
Sin embargo, los movimientos recientes sugieren la preparación para una operación de mayor envergadura. La llegada al Oriente Medio del USS Tripoli, un buque de asalto anfibio que transporta a unos 3.500 marines y marineros, ha alimentado las advertencias de Teherán sobre una posible invasión terrestre.
Más ataques contra la infraestructura iraní
El ataque a la terminal petrolera fue acompañado este martes por una serie de impactos contra nodos logísticos y de transporte en el interior de Irán. En la provincia de Qom, al sur de la capital, el vicegobernador Morteza Heydari informó a la televisión estatal que proyectiles enemigos atacaron uno de los puentes de las líneas de comunicación en el oeste de la provincia. Simultáneamente, en la ciudad central de Kashan, un funcionario de seguridad regional confirmó a la agencia IRNA que un ataque contra el puente ferroviario de Yahya Abad dejó un saldo de dos personas muertas y tres heridas, calificando la acción como una agresión “estadounidense-sionista”.
Paralelamente, el servicio ferroviario hacia y desde Mashhad, la segunda ciudad más grande de Irán, fue cancelado por completo. El gobernador local, Hassan Hosseini, atribuyó la medida a una advertencia previa emitida por el ejército israelí, en la que se instaba a los ciudadanos iraníes a no utilizar las vías férreas. Poco después, las fuerzas de defensa de Israel emitieron un comunicado informando que habían completado una amplia ola de ataques contra decenas de sitios de infraestructura en diversas áreas del país, dirigidos contra lo que denominaron las capacidades operativas del régimen iraní.
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