Renewed US-Iran war would hit Persian Gulf countries hard

Lead

As the United States and Iran exchanged strikes for a second night, the countries of the Persian Gulf once again find themselves on the front line between the two adversaries. The renewed fighting, which follows the collapse of an interim accord, has put Gulf states hosting US military installations in a particularly vulnerable position, according to reporting from Deutsche Welle.

Coverage comparison

Deutsche Welle's coverage emphasizes that all Gulf countries have something to lose should the fighting escalate, regardless of whether they are hit directly. Its reporting highlights the presence of major US military installations across the region and the risks that flow from their proximity to civilian areas, particularly in smaller states like Bahrain.

One of the three Deutsche Welle articles provides additional context, noting that the war began in late February when the US and Israel attacked Iran and that a memorandum of understanding intended to stop the fighting was signed by the US and Iran in June. That report also specifies that Iran has not yet attacked Saudi Arabia during this week's renewed fighting.

Key claims

• US and Iran exchanged strikes for a second night, as reported in multiple Deutsche Welle articles.
• The US bombed sites in Iran, and Iran responded by targeting 85 US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, according to Deutsche Welle.
• Bahrain is home to a major US Navy base, and the recent Iranian strikes hit the country directly.
• Kuwait hosts the largest number of US bases in the Middle East, including two air bases and about 13,500 personnel, including contractors.
• Saudi Arabia is home to a major US air force base, though Iran has not yet attacked the kingdom this week.
• Qatar is home to Al Udeid air base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East.
• Oman does not host a major US military installation.
• The war began in late February when the US and Israel attacked Iran, and a memorandum of understanding was signed in June, according to one Deutsche Welle article.
• At the NATO summit in Ankara on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said the interim accord to end the conflict was "over," and Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said there had been major violations of the accord.

Gulf states in the crossfire

Deutsche Welle's reporting underscores the particular challenges facing Bahrain, a smaller Gulf country where US military installations tend to be closer to residential and commercial areas than in neighboring states. Even limited fighting, the report notes, disrupts civilian life.

Politically, Bahrain is described as being in a particularly difficult position. Like other Gulf countries, Bahrain is a monarchy that represses most political dissent, but in contrast to its neighbors, the royal family is Sunni while the majority of the population is estimated to be Shiite. Iran is a Shiite theocracy, and the ongoing fighting between Iran and the United States could create tensions within Bahrain, where the government has arrested hundreds of people who allegedly posted anti-war messages online, expressed sympathy with Iran, participated in demonstrations, or were accused of being "spies" working for Iran.

Kuwait, which hosts the largest number of US bases in the Middle East, has also become a target for Iranian strikes, according to the reporting. The report notes that Kuwait previously adopted a more cautious foreign policy, though the extract does not elaborate.

While the coverage focuses on the risks to Gulf states, it also notes that Qatar hosts Al Udeid air base, the largest US military installation in the region, and that Saudi Arabia hosts a major US air force base, even though Iran has not yet attacked the kingdom this week. Oman, by contrast, does not host a major US military installation, and would thus be less exposed to direct retaliation.

As the fighting continues, the position of Gulf states remains precarious. Their hosting of US forces makes them potential targets, while their domestic political dynamics — particularly in Bahrain — could amplify the effects of any escalation.