Tense Oil Region: Gulf States Urge Washington to De-escalate Conflict with Iran

In the pursuit of stability amid an increasingly tense geopolitical situation, the Gulf states are intensively seeking dialogue with Washington to deter Israel from attacking Iranian oil facilities. These diplomatic efforts stem from the concern that an exchange of blows could adversely affect their own oil refineries—particularly through Iranian proxies. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar have issued strict directives to prevent Israeli aircraft from flying over their airspace to Iran. This message was sent clearly and unequivocally toward Washington. The underlying worry is an escalation that could affect the entire region, significantly limiting the room for maneuver for the parties involved. While Israel wants to hold Iran accountable for the recent missile attack, Iran, in turn, warned of extensive retaliatory measures. Against this backdrop, the Gulf states see themselves as potential collateral damage in a possible military confrontation, which could significantly strain global oil markets through supply disruptions. There is particular concern regarding Saudi Arabia, which still feels the repercussions of the 2019 attack on the Aramco oil field. Iran continues to deny its involvement. Although there have been recent rapprochements between Riyadh and Tehran, trust remains fragile. The tense dialogue, including with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, has shown that diplomatic channels are still open. Nevertheless, the risk of escalation remains tangible—especially with unforeseen actions on Israel's side. A notable maneuver is the careful yet determined calibration of the Israeli response, which is currently considering many options, including possible attacks on Iranian oil infrastructure. Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized that a potential strike would be precise and surprising to catch the other side unprepared. An Israeli attack would have far-reaching consequences for global energy markets and political agendas, particularly ahead of the U.S. presidential elections. The Gulf states thus intend to make it clear through diplomatic channels that they pose no threat to Iran to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict.