Bahrain and Kuwait Secretly Launch Airstrikes on Iranian Targets, Signaling New Arab Cooperation

According to a Wall Street Journal report on Friday, Bahrain and Kuwait secretly deployed fighter jets to carry out airstrikes inside Iran earlier this month. These attacks targeted drone and missile storage facilities as well as other military sites, marking the first direct retaliatory action by these Gulf states against Tehran. The United Arab Emirates, which had previously conducted strikes against Iran at the start of the conflict, reportedly provided intelligence and defensive air cover for the operations, indicating emerging Arab collaboration against Iran.

Sources familiar with the matter noted that Bahrain and Kuwait maintain relatively small air forces equipped with American and European aircraft but were unwilling to allow continued Iranian attacks without response. Meanwhile, Oman and Qatar have historically pursued a balanced approach between Iran and the West, showing limited willingness for direct confrontation with Tehran. Saudi Arabia joined the UAE in early strikes against Iran but is currently reconsidering its position in the conflict.

This development highlights a shift in Gulf states' military engagement with Iran amid ongoing regional tensions, suggesting a potential realignment of alliances and strategies among Arab countries in response to Iranian actions.