Gulf States Urge US to Keep Israel Out of Iran Conflict to Avoid Escalation
Gulf Arab states are pressuring the United States to prevent Israel from resuming attacks on Iran, fearing that Israeli involvement could escalate the conflict sharply and provoke Iranian retaliation against their energy infrastructure. According to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal on July 17, 2026, Gulf countries worry that Israeli actions would complicate efforts to bring Tehran back to the negotiating table and destabilize the delicate balance currently maintained by Washington and its regional allies.
The Gulf states depend heavily on stable oil, gas, and electricity facilities, and they fear that Iranian reprisals could target these vital installations. They also want to avoid being seen as fighting alongside Israel, which could politically complicate their position if they decide to intervene due to ongoing Iranian attacks and control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. Regional mediators have joined efforts to keep Israel out of the fighting, emphasizing that the current escalation remains limited and reversible.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held security discussions on Iran, with officials indicating Israel prefers to stay out of direct conflict while continuing economic pressure on Iran. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated Israel’s main goal is to weaken the Iranian regime economically and that Israel is prepared for any scenario but currently sees no benefit in entering the conflict.
Iran has so far avoided direct attacks on Israel, focusing instead on US allies such as Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, where missile strikes have killed American soldiers. However, Arab sources remain concerned that Israeli re-engagement in the conflict is only a matter of time.
The US and Israel initially coordinated closely when launching their campaign against Iran in February 2026, but their war aims diverged by spring, with then-President Donald Trump pushing for a diplomatic solution to avoid global economic disruption. Trump reportedly criticized Netanyahu’s tendency to escalate, describing Israel as a "loose cannon." Despite this, the threat of Israeli strikes remains a strategic lever for the US in negotiations with Iran. The US continues close coordination with Israel and Gulf allies amid ongoing US airstrikes on Iranian targets and Iranian attacks on shipping in the Gulf.
Summary: Gulf Arab states are urging the US to prevent Israeli military involvement against Iran to avoid escalation and protect regional energy infrastructure, while Israel remains prepared but prefers to avoid direct conflict. The US and Israel maintain coordination amid ongoing tensions and diplomatic efforts with Iran.
